La-Z-Boy Canada To Raise Money For Breast Cancer

Furniture World Magazine

La-Z-Boy is teaming up with The Quilt: A Breast Cancer Support Project, to help raise money and support for breast cancer survivors and their families. The company has signed on to host traveling exhibits of 120 quilts scheduled to visit 12 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores throughout Canada from June 9 through Oct. 23, 2006. Visitors to the exhibit are encouraged to bid on their favorite quilt to help raise money and awareness for free breast cancer support programs and services. “We are delighted to be part of such a wonderful, worthwhile cause,” said Ron Balzer, regional vice president of Canada for La-Z-Boy. “We hope to raise awareness that will, in turn, raise money for support programs and education of this terrible disease that affects so many women and their families each year.” The traveling tour is part of an annual quilt exhibit and auction that has raised more than $1 million for community support programs for breast cancer patients, their families and friends since 1999. La-Z-Boy has played an active role in supporting the program since 2002. “Providing comfort to our customers is what La-Z-Boy is known for,” said Balzer. “It’s only natural that we would support a program that is focused on providing comfort and support to cancer survivors and their families.” “Providing comfort to our customers is what La-Z-Boy is known for,” said Balzer. “It’s only natural that we would support a program that is focused on providing comfort and support to cancer survivors and their families.” “We are thrilled to be a part of The Quilt tour in Canada and to offer our customers the opportunity to view magnificent craftsmanship and read the engaging stories while supporting a valuable cause,” said Cam Davidson, owner of the Calgary, Alberta, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries. The idea of The Quilt Project was conceived eight years ago by breast cancer survivor Carol Miller. An avid quilter, Miller invited other area quilters to submit finished works of any size or design to be displayed and auctioned to raise money for breast cancer support programs. Originally, she hoped that 35 quilts would be donated. Instead, 134 were completed by survivors, doctors, family members and others who found the joy, laughter and fulfillment that this ancient craft can inspire. In addition to the traveling exhibit at La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores, more than 400 quilts will be on display and available for bidding from May 19 to Nov. 5 in Stratford, Ontario, and from Sept. 29 to Oct. 22 in Toronto, Ontario’s historic Casa Loma. In addition, the public can view and place bids on the quilts at three galas held in Toronto (Oct. 24), Calgary (Nov. 2) and Stratford (Nov. 11) or at www.TheQuilt.com. Headquartered in Monroe, Mich., La-Z-Boy is North America’s largest manufacturer of upholstered furniture and the world’s leading producer of reclining chairs. It is a division of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, one of the nation’s largest furniture manufacturers and marketers.