Locally Launched Charitable Program Provides Free Beds for Kids—in London
Jacksonville, Florida (PRWEB) September 09, 2014 -- Members of Ashley Furniture HomeStore and the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars are back home after hosting the first ever “A Hope to Dream” Stadium Sleepover at London’s famed Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, August 30, 2014. The Ashley/Jaguars teams treated 100 children and their chaperones to an unforgettable night that included a dance party with Jaguars’ mascot Jaxson de Ville and the Jaguars’ “THE ROAR” cheerleading squad. The night included a feast donated by Papa John’s Pizza and Pepsi-Cola. While at the stadium, the children played with XBOX sets provided by Microsoft. The biggest thrill of the night came when the Ashley Furniture HomeStore team announced that free beds would be delivered to 100 underprivileged children in London the next day.
Ashley Furniture HomeStore-Jacksonville CEO and Managing Member Howard Fineman said this one-of-a-kind event is just another step in realizing Ashley’s vision for “A Hope to Dream”; that all children have their very own beds. “Too many children live their lives without being able to count on this one critical building block of life—a good night’s sleep. I am so proud that our team has come together with the Jacksonville Jaguars and delivered a fun-filled event that speaks so dramatically to our vision.”
The global expansion of the “A Hope to Dream” program to London grew from the inaugural Stadium Sleepover hosted by Fineman and Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley and his wife Michaela last year. Last month, Ashley Furniture HomeStore and the Jaguars teamed up for the second time at Everbank Field and treated 100 local children to the all-night event. Bradley said the program is one he and his family are proud to embrace. “As an NFL football coach I know firsthand the importance of a healthy body and healthy mind. It requires good nutrition and exercise; but it all starts with a good night’s rest. “A Hope to Dream” has brought a good night’s sleep to thousands of children and I can tell you that our Jaguars’ family and the Bradley family are honored to be a part of it.”
Ashley Furniture HomeStore worked directly with the United Kingdom’s NFL Jaguars group to bring the project to life. In a statement released to Jacksonville, Florida local media two weeks earlier, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan added that the synergy of the partnership between the Jaguars and Ashley Furniture HomeStore is a perfect example of how something started in Jacksonville can serve people in London and the rest of the world.
Fineman says he’s delighted to share the story of the Stadium Sleepover in London. “In today’s world, speedy travel and global communication through the internet have enhanced the meaning of the word ‘community.’ I want all Ashley Furniture HomeStore customers to feel the happiness of these children, to see their smiles and feel their parents’ joy and gratitude. After all, it is Ashley customers everywhere who make it possible to bring “A Hope to Dream” to life in cities and towns throughout America, and now, across the ocean.” Fineman adds that he credits the program’s success to Ashley Furniture HomeStore customers because a portion of the proceeds of every purchase of a mattress at a local Ashley Furniture HomeStore pays for a mattress set for a child in need. Families who need beds are nominated by friends, family and social service agencies. The “A Hope to Dream” program launched with Howard Fineman’s Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Jacksonville in 2010. Since then the program has donated more than 13,000 Ashley Sleep mattress sets to children in need.
Kendall Goss, Kendall Communications, +1 (706) 492-3700, [email protected]
Share this article