Art Van Furniture Gives Away Another Million Dollars

WARREN, Mich., June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Who gives away a million dollars? Art Van does! With no strings attached, Art Van Furniture will award grants from $5,000 to $50,000 to support 50 Michigan-based nonprofit organizations that focus on children, health and human services programs.  

The announcement was made at an exciting event at the Art Van Lansing store. The evening included special grant announcements and awards, along with the new Art Van Award of Hope which recognizes the outstanding philanthropic work of four individuals and their favorite charities.

The 2011 Art Van Award of Hope honorees who have continuously displayed outstanding work with their charities are L. Brooks Patterson (Rainbow Connection), Maggie Varney (Wigs 4 Kids), Krista Mason (Benjamin's Hope), and Laurie Baumer (Ele's Place). In addition to the award each of the four charities received a $5,000 grant.

This is the third year in a row that Art Van Furniture has present its Million Dollar Charity Challenge, designed to encourage the people of Michigan to make a contribution and maximize fundraising opportunities. With this incentive, the 2009 Art Van Million Dollar Charity Challenge donation turned into four million with matched challenges.

"One thing is for certain," explains Chairman and Founder, Art Van Elslander, "regardless to how worthy a cause may be or how sincere the organization is about achieving its goals, without the proper financial resources, very little can be done. That's why this challenge is such a big deal."

Representatives from the previous 100 Art Van Charity Challenge recipients were also on hand at the event, where they received a very special surprise. The remaining 96 charities received an additional grant of $1000!

"We are accepting applications for another 50 deserving recipients, but that does not end the connection with the previous 100," says Gary Van Elslander, President of Art Van Furniture. "We are committed to assist long-term by providing resources that build success."

This one of kind program has garnered amazing results. Thousands of lives have been touched and made better as evidenced by a quote from a letter, one of many, received from Art Van Million Dollar Charity Challenge beneficiaries. Here's the compassionate ending to this particular letter:

"Thank you, Art Van, for helping fund the transitional housing program at the WRC (Women's Resource Center, Traverse City). Although I know you cannot put a price tag on a human life, you should know your money helped saved three lives."

And yes, while it is a rarity in these tough economic times that anyone makes such a generous gesture, applications are now being accepted for 2011-2012 MDCC grants until August 1, 2011.  Interested parties should visit artvan.com for details on qualifications and directions on grant submission.  

Art Van is giving away another $1 million and fifty more non-profit, 501c3 organizations will be awarded grants in September 2011. If that's not enough, when this 50 is selected, all 150 charities will be given an opportunity to vie for $25,000 that will be awarded to one organization. For more information contact Diane Charles at (586)983-3022 office - (586)850-7332 cell or visit artvan.com

About Art Van Furniture
Art Van Furniture is Michigan's largest furniture retailer and America's largest independent furniture retailer. The company operates 34 stores in 33 communities throughout Michigan, a full service e-commerce website, plus three freestanding Art Van PureSleep bedding stores in Canton, Troy and Rochester Hills, Michigan. Founded in 1959, the company is family-owned and headquartered in Warren, Mich. Check out artvan.com for more information.

SOURCE Art Van Furniture