IKEA, Their Co-Workers & Customers Join Hands To Benefit Hurricane Katrina Victims

Furniture World Magazine

"The hearts of all of us here at IKEA go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy," said Pernille Lopez, President of IKEA North America. "All of us want to make whatever difference we can. The "Give a Hug" program will help everyone work together to extend our support." "As a home furnishings company, we have a unique opportunity to offer both immediate and long-term help. We have thousands of customers every day in our stores, 9,000 co-workers who are anxious to help and thousands of home furnishings to help the victims of this tragedy re-build and move on with their lives." IKEA plans four ways so all can help: -Customers can contribute through the purchase of FAMNIG, a red cushion in the shape of a heart that has arms that symbolically reach out with a hug of love and hope. Through September 30, while supplies last, every dollar from the sale of this $9.99 heart shaped cushion at all 24 IKEA U.S. stores will be donated directly to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Visitors to the IKEA web site www.IKEA-usa.com can also use a link to the American Red Cross to make their personal donation. -IKEA co-workers' personal donations to the Red Cross Relief Fund will be matched by IKEA, up to $250,000 in total. -IKEA U.S. stores closest to the affected regions are donating pillows and bedding to help displaced hurricane victims with their immediate need for furnishing and comfort. -Working through appropriate agencies, IKEA is also developing a long-term plan to help the hurricane victims re-build their lives and homes by donating $1 million in home furnishings such as mattresses, bedding and other furnishings. Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA has been ranked in FORTUNE's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" List, Working Mother magazine's annual list of "100 Best Companies forWorking Mothers" (two years in a row) and Training magazine's annual "Top 100" ranking of companies that excel at human capital development (three years in a row). IKEA is recognized as a socially responsible company, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. To visit the IKEA web site, please go to http://www.IKEA-usa.com.