Furniture Executives Tee-Off To Help Fight Cancer At Annual City Of Hope Golf & Tennis Benefit Tournament

City of Hope
Monday, 6 May 2002

Home Furnishings Veteran Arnold Belinsky to be Presented with "Lifetime Achievement Award"

Hundreds of home furnishings executives will test their swing on the green and tennis courts at Coto de Caza Country Club on Monday, June 24, at the 11th Annual West Coast Golf & Tennis Tournament to raise funds for cancer research and treatment at City of Hope.

Since its inception, the West Coast Golf & Tennis Tournament has raised in excess of $700,000 for City of Hope Cancer Center. Past corporate sponsors have included the Home Furnishings Representatives Guild (HFRG), Alco, Leggett & Platt, Powell Company, Jerome's Furniture and Douglas Furniture. Last year, more than 200 attendees and generous sponsors helped to raise $270,000.

"People in our industry are very family-oriented. Unfortunately, most of us have lost loved ones to cancer," said Michael Gennett, event co-chair and president, San Francisco Mart. "For these reasons, we are compelled to help City of Hope and we're confident their doctors will one day find a cure this devastating disease."

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in United Stated. Approximately 555,500 Americans are expected to die of cancer this year alone, according to the American Cancer Society Cancer.

In a special ceremony during the event, participants will pay tribute to Southern California retail furniture pioneer, Arnold Belinsky, founder of Arnold's Furniture and Legacy Home Furnishings, by presenting him with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his years of dedication to charitable causes.

"Arnold has been a true leader in the home furnishings industry and in the community," said Rick Powell, event co-chair and former president, Powell Company. "We are so grateful for the generosity and dedication he has shown City of Hope."

The West Coast Golf & Tennis Tournament will be followed by a silent auction, a cocktail reception, dinner and awards ceremony. All furniture executives are invited to attend. For more information about the West Coast Golf & Tennis Tournament, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Sharon White-Kuo at 800-272-2310 or swhite-kuo@coh.org.

The National Home Furnishings Industry for City of Hope

Since its inception in 1965, the National Home Furnishings Industry has been a major force in supporting research and treatment programs at City of Hope. From a small beginning when a handful of industry members gathered with a common interest, the group has grown to encompass a nationwide cross-section of manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, designers, marketing representatives and related members. Leaders in this movement come from some of the nation's top home furnishings companies, such as Rhodes, Wickes Furniture, HomeLife, Havertys, La-Z-Boy Incorporated, Furniture Brands International, Kincaid, Ashley, Sealy, Simmons, Serta and Spring Air. To date, the National Home Furnishings and Consumer Electronics Industry has contributed more than $18 million as a premier industry support group for City of Hope.

About City of Hope

The City of Hope Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, is one of the world's leading research and treatment centers for cancer and other serious diseases, including diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The work conducted at City of Hope is shared with medical centers worldwide, touching the lives of millions of people everywhere. City of Hope is located in Greater Los Angeles.

For more information about how you can support City of Hope's lifesaving research and treatment programs, please call 1-800-260-HOPE.

For more information, or to contact City of Hope, see their website at: www.cityofhope.org