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The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation Appoints Four Members to Board of Directors

Furniture World News Desk on 8/17/2023


The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation has named four new members to its board of directors. Agreeing to a three-year term are Mike Blessinger, vice president of sales & marketing for Indiana Furniture; Margot Shaw, founder and editor-in-chief of Flower Magazine; Adam Stemle, vice president of sales & marketing for La-Z-Boy Healthcare|KNU Comfort; and Lindsey Waldrep, vice president marketing Crossville, Inc. Current board members include chairman, Rob Mayer, president of Mayer Fabrics, Indianapolis, IN; secretary, Linda Higgins, LHiggins Design, Graham, NC; treasurer, Patty Younts, Lexington, NC; and vice president of fundraising, Karen Kontoulas, Southport, N.C.; have all been reelected to their existing positions.

The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation, founded in 2000, supports individuals fighting breast cancer who are affiliated with the furnishings and design industries by offering financial assistance through confidential Helping Hands Grants. The grants aid breast cancer patients and their families in areas where insurance does not apply. For example, a grant can meet financial obligations, household needs and transportation to medical appointments. The grants intend to enhance the quality of life for those with breast cancer, enabling them to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible while confronting the disease. The foundation has raised over $1 million to provide grants to individuals throughout North America.

Mayer stated, “We are pleased to have these four energetic and extremely talented new board members join us. Each brings a unique perspective to our board that will certainly benefit our worthy cause. I would also like to thank Phil Miller III, Thayer Coggin, Inc., High Point, NC; and Mark Stuckey, Tappahannock, VA, who are rotating off the board, for all of their time and assistance that they have provided us over the past nine years.”

In addition to the new and reelected board members, other members of the board include: Jane Barea, president, Winston-Salem, NC; along with directors: Laura Holland, Hickory Chair,  Hickory, NC; Kathy Hunt (Wall), TMM Agency/The Media Matters, Inc, Lexington, NC; Sasha Ikovic, Crossville, Inc, South Pasadena, CA; Pam Mathias, Versteel, Jasper, IN; Ashley Morgan, Raleigh, NC; Kelly Ponder, Crypton, Bloomfield Hills, MI; Dee Wyrick, Momentum Group, Semora, NC; and Lesley Zitone-Olson, Momentum Group, Sparta, New Jersey.

Anyone can enhance the mission of The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation in the following ways:

  • If you know someone affiliated with the furnishings and design industry that is currently battling breast cancer, please tell them about The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation and the Helping Hand Grant  program. Confidential grant applications are available on their website under ‘Grants.’

  • Spread awareness of The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation to friends, co-workers, and companies within the furnishings and design industry.

  • Ask the company where you work to support The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation through financial contributions, sponsorship, or a fundraising event.

  • Specify or purchase year-round sponsors’ designated products that benefit the Foundation. The manufacturers who participate in this program donate a percentage of their sales of designated products to the Foundation.

  • Attend, sponsor, or volunteer at one or more of the industry fundraising events held throughout the United States.

  • Designate The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation on Amazon Smile. Amazon will contribute .05% of all purchases you make through their Smile portal. There is no cost to you. Please encourage your friends and family to donate in this painless, free way to support our cause.

  • Make a monetary donation in any amount to The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation. Ask your employer if they match charitable contributions. Look for opportunities like ‘Giving Tuesday’ that multiply your contributions.

To learn more about The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation, Helping Hand Grants, or sponsor programs and how to get involved, please visit commonthreadforthecure.org

 

About The Common Thread for the Cure
A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation was established in 2000 by Suzann Burkhead-Bray and Scott Burkhead in memory of their sister, Sandra Burkhead Campbell, who lost her long-term battle with breast cancer in February 1999. The organization has awarded more than three hundred Helping Hand Grants to recipients in thirty states, Canada, and Mexico—and the number is increasing each year. Raise your hand and join us.