International Market Centers, operator of premier showroom space for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries, is coordinating exhibitor product donations and other humanitarian efforts in its High Point Market Fall show, running Oct. 14-18 in High Point, N.C., and at the Las Vegas Market Winter show, set for Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2018 at the World Market Center in Las Vegas.

“International Market Centers prides itself on being a ‘global good citizen,’ and we are delighted to mobilize our resources to help communities in need,” said Robert Maricich, IMC chief executive officer.

IMC has set up locations in both High Point and Las Vegas to help facilitate product donations for hurricane relief efforts in Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico, donations that will be transported to impacted areas and distributed through locally based assistance organizations.

In High Point, product donations can be delivered after Oct. 19 to IHFC Main 905, and in Las Vegas, product donations will be accepted Nov. 1– Jan. 25 in showroom A416.

Donations directed to Houston will be shared between Houston Furniture Bank and Dwell with Dignity.

With a mission to improve the living conditions of impoverished families by furnishing empty homes, the Houston Furniture Bank is helping 70 families a day rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Its most immediate needs are mattresses (primarily queen and full mattress sets and metal bed frames,) small sofas and loveseats, small kitchen tables and chairs, and dressers.

“Furniture is a critical stepping stone to improve living conditions and elevate an individual’s personal pride and dignity,” said Oli Mohammed, executive director of Houston Furniture Bank.

Dwell with Dignity partners with the local design community to create complete home interiors for families desperately in need of an environment that will support their health and wellness. These turnkey homes come complete with apartment-scaled furniture, art, bedding, linens, kitchen supplies, food in the pantry and a first night’s meal.

Donations to Dwell with Dignity are part of an initiative by CODARUS, a multi-line furniture, bedding, lighting, art and accessories national sales organization with showrooms in High Point and Las Vegas, to charter a Houston-based Dwell with Dignity chapter that will design and furnish 10-15 Houston area apartments.

IMC is in the process of identifying appropriate aid-providing partnership organizations for relief efforts in Florida and Puerto Rico, with specifics to be announced in the near future.

In addition to this emergency crisis response effort, IMC also has ongoing partnerships with both the American Cancer Society and A Simple Gesture food collection agency, which supports food banks and pantries in Guilford County, including the Greensboro and High Point areas.

For the last 13 years, volunteers from the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop at Smith Mountain Lake have used High Point Market samples to raise funds for cancer research and patient programs across the South Atlantic region, while IMC and its employees make a point of donating food to A Simple Gesture throughout the year.

During High Point Market, donors can deliver non-perishable food items to a collection box located in IHFC Main 905.

By offering myriad ways for High Point and Las Vegas Market exhibitors to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities impacted by natural disasters and poverty, IMC is setting an important example for the industry of what it looks like to not just talk the talk, but also walk the walk of corporate social responsibility.

“Whether the needs stem from natural disasters like the hurricanes in Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico, or from tragedies like the recent shootings in Las Vegas, IMC is proud to facilitate logistics for exhibitor product donations, heighten awareness for exhibitor-sponsored initiatives and demonstrate support for communities in crisis,” Maricich said.

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