View of Manhattan from The Cruise for Hope. Tommy Leflein Photographer.
City of Hope reported that the recent, inaugural Furniture Industry Cruise for Hope raised $170,000 to support its research, treatment and education efforts.
The event attracted over 420 furniture retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and admirers of Simon Kaplan, the founder of Crest Furniture that operates the Value City Furniture NJ and Ashley Home Stores.
The Saturday evening cruise which took place on 10th anniversary weekend of September 11th, featured dining, dancing, and stunning views of lower Manhattan, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. A professional tour guide was on hand to provide a bit of history and perspective.
Following a heartfelt introduction by Patrick Cory, Managing Partner of Cory First Home Delivery, a longtime friend and admirer of Simon Kaplan, the honoree spoke with humorous and insight about the life lessons he learned from his military service in WW2, from his family and his tenure in the furniture industry.
National Co-Chairs: Roger Friesen, Jena Hall.
Northeast Regional Chair: Patrick Cory
Dinner Co-Chairs: Russell Bienenstock, Chris DeLisa, Bill Hartman, Edward Massood
Honorary Chairs: Phil Linder, Valarie Moran, Christopher Pelcher, Warren Solberg, Josh Tatelman
Dinner Committee: Paul Ciciarelli, Abraham Feinblum, Jeff Gonzalez, Tommy Leflein, Shiela Long O'Mara, Louis Massood, Paula Powell, Brad Pyne, Stan Steinreich
About City of Hope - City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest recognize bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope's research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, and is ranked one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer and urology by U.S.News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org or follow City of Hope on facebook, twitter, youtube or flickr.
About Simon Kaplan - In 1971, Simon Kaplan founded Crest Furniture Inc., dba Value City Furniture, and quickly expanded it from a single retail store to seven retail locations and four Ashley Home Stores. Kaplan is also president of Furniture Marketing Group (FMG) and helped increase membership and expand it as one of the largest volume furniture-buying cooperatives in the nation for a combined retail annual volume exceeding $2.5 billion. In 2000, Kaplan participated in an initiative through FMG to raise more than $80,000 to support High Point University.
In 1998, Kaplan was honored by the Metropolitan Furnishings Association of New Jersey. In 2000, he was honored by FMG for his leadership. In 2005, he was named “Man of the Year” by the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association, and in 2002, he received the “Greatest Employer Award” from his own team of associates. Kaplan actively supports numerous charities in his community. As a World War II veteran, he has remained true to his core values throughout his personal and professional life: honor, loyalty, truthfulness, commitment and dedication.