Darvin Furniture Teams Up with Chicagoland

Businesses to Deliver Assistance to Hurricane Victims

Trucks with furniture, appliances heading to Houston Wednesday, Oct. 11

Orland Park, IL, Oct. 9, 2017 – As the devastation of Hurricane Harvey sets new records for natural disasters in the U.S., there is a growing need for home essentials as more than 62,000 people who fled the destruction begin the emotional task of returning to their homes to find little-to-nothing left of their lives. Four Chicagoland businesses, and one from Houston, are helping to make that transition for victims just a little bit easier by donating furniture and appliances that will be heading to Houston on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Located in Orland Park, Darvin Furniture, Chicagoland's largest furniture and mattress store, is teaming up with, Chicago-based Accurate Perforating & Metal Fabricating, Glenview-based Abt Electronics, Houston-based Nailor Industries and Mokena-based J&M Transportation Services, to provide much needed assistance to residents of Houston who were devastated by the record-setting storm that has caused damage estimated to exceed $150 billion.

According to Jeff Kaminsky, who initiated pulling the Chicagoland businesses together after hearing about the devastation firsthand from his Houston client, Nailor Industries, networking with people he knew and trusted seemed like the natural thing to do.

Employees of Nailor Industries in Houston stand alongside demolition crews as they clear out many of their homes that were devastated by Hurricane Harvey

“Nailor has been a long-time client of ours and when so many of their employees were flooded out from the hurricane, I felt helpless and I thought about what we could do here in Chicago to help,” says Kaminsky, Accurate Perforating & Metal Fabricating National Sales Manager. “Many people lost everything. Their homes were filled with water for days and all of their furniture and bedding that was water logged had to be thrown out. It was really very heart wrenching to see pictures from our friends in Houston.”

It was Kaminsky’s father, Alan Kaminsky, a seven-year employee of Darvin Furniture, who helped his son get in touch with Marty Darvin, co-owner of Darvin Furniture, to explain the situation in Houston and to ask for assistance.

“Marty immediately said he would help,” says Kaminsky. “All he asked for was a little time to figure out the best way to impact as many lives in Houston as possible.”

Darvin’s solution: Darvin Furniture will be sending an entire truckload of furnishings to Houston on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Leaving from Darvin’s Mokena distribution center, the truck will join another transport filled with appliances from Abt Electronics. Together the two trucks, donated by J&M Transportation Services and Accurate Perforating & Metal Fabricating, will provide immediate relief to people trying to put their lives back together.

Kate Smulevitz, Darvin Distribution Center Project Manager & Vendor Relations, was put in charge of choosing the furniture that would be heading to Houston. She says Kaminsky provided a list of needs, from family room sets and dining room collections to bedrooms, and she went right to work pulling pieces that would furnish the entire rooms in a home.

“We are sending approximately 70 pieces on the truck. We really wanted the furniture we sent to be quality items, something that could not only immediately help these people furnish their homes, but would last a lifetime,” says Smulevitz. “The idea is to offer families an entire room. For the bedroom, there’s a bedframe, box spring, mattress, dresser and nightstands. For family rooms there’s a sofa, loveseat and table.”

While the employees at Nailor Industries are Kaminsky’s clients, he says that they have become much more than his business – they are friends. “If the furniture and appliances simply lift spirits and provide a little comfort, it’s all worth the efforts. Many of these people are sleeping on floors. If we can get them off the floor and help restore a sense of dignity, that alone can make a difference. It’s really just about helping people.”

Marty Darvin agrees with Kaminsky that when you do it right, customers become much more than just business. “We have been serving our customers for more than 97 years and over time they become part of the Darvin family,” Darvin says. “The way I look at it, helping the folks in Houston just extends the Darvin family reach into Texas. We are very proud to have had the chance to pitch in.”

Darvin Furniture is the recipient of the 2016 Illinois Retailer of the Year Award (See Video) from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. The award recognizes Darvin for meeting consumer desires, dedication to the community, and loyalty to its employees. Darvin now offers a 24/7/365 shopping experience at Darvin.com. Enjoy Darvin selection, quality and value at your convenience. Delivery or pickup available.

About Darvin Furniture

Family owned since 1920, Darvin Furniture is an industry leader and Chicagoland's largest furniture and mattress store. One of the top 100 furniture retailers in the country, Darvin Furniture's showroom is located on 11 acres in Orland Park, Illinois. The showroom features more than 200,000 sq.ft. of furniture on display. Additional information is available at Darvin.com. Stay up to date on the latest news as a member of the Darvin social community by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, GooglePlus, Pinterest, and YouTube