Art Van Furniture Teams With Focus: HOPE to Honor Eleanor Josaitis

WARREN, Mich., Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With a fierce passion for helping others, Eleanor Josaitis impacted the lives of thousands of Detroiters in need. Keeping that spirit alive and honoring her remarkable work, Art Van Furniture is partnering with Focus: HOPE in a huge Community Service Tribute that will provide families, seniors and schools with food, new and gently-used books, and art supplies.

"Eleanor was my friend and an incredible woman who loved nothing more than helping others," says Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture. "We are honored to be a part of this well-deserved tribute that does what Eleanor stood for – giving back."

Here's how it works: guests throughout southeast Michigan are urged to collect non-perishable food, new and gently-used books and new art supplies for school-aged children, families and seniors. The collected donations can then be dropped off at any of the 18 Art Van Furniture stores throughout Metro Detroit from now until February 24, 2012.

Due to Eleanor Josaitis' work, today, so many have jobs, low-income seniors and families have food, and countless others have been encouraged to seek education and creativity, the tools necessary to rise out of poverty. These are the things that were the spirit of the woman who was co-founder of Focus: HOPE, who passed away in August of last year.

Josaitis attributed her success to passion, persistence and partnerships -- the three elements that govern this tribute. All donated items will be brought to the Focus: HOPE campus on March 3, 2012. The items will then be distributed through Focus: HOPE and Detroit-area schools. The community initiative will culminate on March 10, 2012, with a special ceremony, the Light for Hope Eleanor M. Josaitis Tribute, a special fund-raising dinner sponsored by Art Van Furniture at Detroit Marriott to celebrate the late activist's 44-year career in community service. Art Van Elslander will be presenting sponsor.

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 five freestanding Art Van PureSleep bedding stores in Canton, Troy, Rochester Hills, Brighton, and Ann Arbor, 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