Walker expands holiday furniture giveaway

Walker Furniture has increased the number of families it will assist during its 10th annual "Home for the Holidays" program. Larry Alterwitz, chief executive, said 27 families will be given a houseful of new furniture in December.

"The people of Southern Nevada have been very supportive of Walker Furniture over the years, and we never lose sight of our obligation to give back to our community," Alterwitz said. "The selection process is very difficult because there are so many deserving families. We only wish we could help all of them."

Recipients are selected based on letters submitted to the company on behalf of those in need. They have included single-parent households that are having difficulty making ends meet, many of them with children suffering from physical or mental disorders; families who have lost their homes and belongings to fires; and families who have been affected by illness or domestic violence.

Letters describing a family's situation typically come from teachers and students, health care professionals, social service workers, clergy, friends, neighbors, children and grandchildren. They are reviewed by outside, independent panels, which assist in selecting the beneficiary families.

"`Home for the Holidays' is particularly gratifying for us because it's a wonderful collaboration of our staff, the volunteer committees that take time to read all of the letters we receive and the caring citizens who write those letters. We are proud to offer this program for the 10th consecutive year and we hope our efforts will continue to inspire others to offer assistance where it is needed during the holiday season," he said.

The program is the largest charitable endeavor for the company, which has contributed to community causes for many years. It commenced in 1994 with deliveries to 12 families.

In conjunction with the program, employees organize a food and holiday gift drive. Visitors to the store are invited to donate canned food items, toys or gifts.

Letters of recommendation must be received by Dec. 8. They can be sent by mail to Larry Alterwitz, Walker Furniture, 301 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89106; faxed to (702) 384-7672; or e-mailed to walkerfurn@hotmail.com.

Furniture deliveries are scheduled to begin Dec. 19.

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