NHFA’s DeHaan Appointed to NFBA Board of Directors

Furniture World News

The National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA) announced the appointment of Steve DeHaan to its board of directors. The NFBA is expanding the board to include business leaders, furniture industry executives, and senior officers from non-profit organizations. The expansion is in anticipation of the late June roll out of Help1Up, the furniture industry’s unified charitable effort. DeHaan is the executive vice president of the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA), the nation’s largest organization devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers. NHFA’s membership comprises 2,750 corporate entities, representing 10,000 stores in all 50 states and several foreign countries. Phil Van Poetsch, executive director of the NFBA, noted that DeHaan is a veteran association executive, and has become a leader in the home furnishings industry during his tenure leading the NHFA. “It’s impossible to overstate the impact Steve will have on the NFBA,” said Van Poetsch. “His industry expertise will be critical to our success as we launch Help1Up. Steve’s influence and guidance will ensure that kids in America currently sleeping on the floor are provided with basic home furnishings.” Help1Up, the furniture industry’s unified charitable effort administered by the NFBA, encourages consumers to shop at participating furniture retailers and add a 1% tax-deductible donation to their purchase. Proceeds from Help1Up support furniture banks all across the nation and seed new furniture banks in underserved areas. A “furniture bank” is a non-profit organization which collects basic home furnishings from the general public and provides them to people in need. Typical clients of furniture banks are women and children escaping domestic violence, families below the poverty line, victims of natural disasters such as fire or floods, and others requiring emergency assistance. Furniture banks keep thousands of tons of used furniture out of incinerators and landfills every year. DeHaan led the NHFA internal task force which examined Help1Up before recommending an endorsement of the program to the NHFA board of directors. “I immediately found Help1Up to be a great way for our industry to band together and assist kids in America,” explained DeHaan. “The NHFA’s task force loved it, the executive committee embraced it, and the NHFA board approved it. I’m excited to serve on the NFBA board of directors, and to have a part in a program that will change the lives of tens of thousands of American kids and families in need.” About the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA) The NFBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to create comfortable home environments by providing furnishings to those in need. No child in America should have to sleep on the floor. Visit www.Help1Up.org to learn more about the NFBA, the people we serve, or to become a participating Help1Up retailer. About the National Home Furnishings Association: The NHFA is the nation’s largest organization devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers. NHFA’s membership comprises 2,750 corporate entities representing 10,000 stores in all 50 states and several foreign countries. NHFA’s mission and vision encompass the association’s commitment to helping home furnishings retailers operate highly profitable businesses that provide an exceptional level of service to the consumers who buy their furniture. Contact Information National Furniture Bank Association: Don Lawrence Vice President, Communications (800) 576-0774 dlawrence@Help1Up.org http://www.Help1Up.org Boston, MA National Home Furnishings Association Michael G. Pierce Director of Communications and Public Relations (800) 888-9590 x 6130 mpierce@nhfa.org http://www.nhfa.org High Point, NC