Bob’s Discount Furniture and the American Red Cross Launch $250,000 Scholarship Program in New York and New Jersey

Blood Drive Program Rewards Civic-Minded Student Leaders

MANCHESTER, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bob’s Discount Furniture and the American Red Cross launched the High School Heroes Scholarship Program during the New York Football Giants’ third Annual American Red Cross Blood Drive held at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 25. This program will give high school students throughout New York and New Jersey the opportunity to compete with other schools during the 2013-2014 school year for a share of the quarter million dollars in scholarship money.

The High School Heroes program honors students who make exceptional contributions to the American Red Cross blood donor program in their schools, and helps encourage young people to become involved by helping patients in need. Bob Kaufman, Bob’s Discount Furniture president and co-founder, and Donna M. Morrissey, American Red Cross Northeast Division director of communications, both spoke about the impact of this special program to attendees at the Giants’ Blood Drive.

“We’re honored to support the American Red Cross and their lifesaving services for more than 17 years,” said Kaufman. “Our team is very excited to launch the High School Heroes program to benefit New York and New Jersey students, while also increasing much-needed blood donations.”

Kaufman knows the crucial importance of a sufficient blood supply. Medical crises required two of his family members to receive regular blood transfusions. He lost his father Leo Kaufman and his 16-year-old nephew Scott Mulready to leukemia. The Kaufman family is forever thankful for the extra time with them made possible, in part, by blood donors. Through the generosity of Bob, employees, customers and members of the community, Bob’s Discount Furniture Blood Drives have collected more than 33,000 units of lifesaving blood.

“Bob’s Discount Furniture has been an unwavering supporter of the American Red Cross and the patients and communities we serve,” said Morrissey. “This $250,000 scholarship will not only substantially increase blood collection efforts but will also be a way to honor student leaders who will hopefully become lifelong blood donors.”

Students who host at least two high school blood drives throughout the year and achieve an annual participation rate of at least 30 percent of their school’s age-eligible students are qualified to win a base scholarship of $250. Students who meet those initial requirements are also eligible to win additional scholarships, including up to eight $1,000 grand prize scholarships per winning school. The winners in each state are determined by the number of students who donate and the total units collected. For complete contest rules and to learn how you can get involved, visit http://www.mybobs.com/outreach/highschoolheroes.

About Bob’s Discount Furniture
Bob’s Discount Furniture provides a wide variety of quality furnishings – including living room furniture, bedroom furniture, dining room furniture, office furniture and home accents – at everyday low prices. The stores also offer a unique and enjoyable shopping experience featuring cafes in each store with free gourmet coffee, ice cream, cookies and candy. Since 1991, Bob’s has built strong customer loyalty by offering the highest-value home furnishings at the lowest possible prices. With 47 stores located throughout New England, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Virginia, the Manchester, Conn.-based company has become the 15th-largest U.S. furniture chain. Bob’s is committed to supporting communities where its stores are located through a variety of charitable giving efforts. Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation has anchored the company’s philanthropic work for more than 15 years. In addition, the Bob’s Outreach program was created as a separate entity to help schools and children-related charities. Every year the company donates more than $100,000 to schools and more than $1.5 million to charities through these programs. To find out more about Bob’s Discount Furniture, visit www.MyBobs.com. To find out more about Bob’s Discount Furniture, visit www.MyBobs.com. For more information on Bob’s charitable programs, visit www.BobsCares.org, and follow us on Twitter @MyBobs and @MyBobs_Charity and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyBobs.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies approximately 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Full & By
Brooks Toombs, 617-638-0022
toombsb@fullandby.co

Source: Bob’s Discount Furniture

Released August 26, 2013