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From Home Furnishing Business

Simmons, Atlanta Firefighters Give Kids Tour

November 19, 2013  by in Community / Charitable Support, Industry   

During the tour, the children from Our House, a non-profit organization that provides quality early childhood education and comprehensive support service for families experiencing homelessness, were invited to try on firefighting gear and see the areas where on duty firefighters eat and sleep, as well as eat lunch and have their pictures taken with the firefighters. Each child received a commemorative button imprinted with his/her firefighter photo, compliments of Simmons.   

“Simmons takes pride in our Atlanta roots, and we have an ongoing commitment to help better the lives of those in our local community,” said Simmons President Tony Smith. “We have proudly supported the mission of Our House for years, and we are honored to be able to work with AFRD to give these children a special experience they will never forget.”

Simmons has held a seat on Our House Georgia’s Board of Directors for the past seven years, supporting the organization’s effort to break the chains of homelessness for children and families throughout Metro Atlanta. Michelle Montgomery, Simmons’ vice president of marketing, currently holds the position; and previously, Executive Vice President and General Counsel Kristen McGuffey served as Board Member for six years. 

“We are so thankful to have organizations in the community who come together to provide these kids with such an amazing opportunity,” said Our House Executive Director and Development Director Tyese Lawyer. “Simmons Bedding and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department have truly given these children a unforgettable holiday memory.” 

This event marks a continued partnership between Simmons and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, a collaboration in the making since the two organizations met earlier this year. In April 2013, Simmons completed its Firehouse Recharge Atlanta initiative, a campaign to donate 275 beds to AFRD.

“Service to the community is central to the core mission of AFRD. We have a fierce love of and dedication to this city and want to see it and its citizens thrive," said Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran. "In Simmons, AFRD has found a partner whose passion for and desire to give back to Atlanta aligns with our own values, and we are pleased to partner with them to bring some holiday cheer to some very deserving children.”  

“As pleased as we were to show our appreciation to AFRD for all that they do for Atlanta, we are even more excited to partner with them in a joint effort to give back to the community in which we all live, work and play,” said Smith. “We hope to continue our relationship with the Atlanta Fire Department and Our House for many years to come.”