Donor Q&A: Meet REALTOR® Karla Comer

Furniture Donor Spotlight: Meet Karla Comer!

Barnabas was founded in 2006 as a collaborative, grassroots effort to address an urgent need for furniture assistance in our community. For nearly 20 years now, we've been on the frontlines of addressing furniture poverty in the Triad, partnering with 150 local entities to furnish the change for 900 households a year. We make it happen by collecting more than 17,000 pieces of furniture annually from donors in the community who want their new and gently-used items to make a difference.

True to our origins, we remain a collaboration of agencies, clients, and donors — recycling furniture and restoring lives together. But, none of this would work without the star of the show: the furniture! We love to hear donors' "why Barnabas?" stories, so when REALTOR® Karla Comer recently arranged multiple donation pickups for clients, we checked in to say hello and see if she'd be up for a quick Q&A. Lucky for us, she was!

What led you to donate furniture and household items to Barnabas and what keeps you coming back? 

"In short, the mission! I love that my and my clients’ furniture donations go directly to people in need. It makes all involved happy to know that you are helping families experiencing hardship make their new place a home. In these changing times, this need has become more prevalent and I am happy to support an organization that helps directly impact the community."

What was that first pickup appointment like? 

"The first pick up was seamless. The crew showed up on time and carefully loaded all the items in the truck. They were so friendly, personable ... it was a great experience. It keeps me coming back every time!"

What kind of a role does furniture play in your role as a realtor? 

"Furniture can change the landscape of a space: the arrangement, color, size, patterns etc. It can be an amazing friend or foe when it comes to listing or showing a space. It can shape how a home or space is perceived."

What’s your favorite piece of furniture in your home? 

"Hands down it's my grandmother's pie safe. It was a cherished piece in her home and I'm proud that I get to keep it in mine. I remember all the desserts that came out of there during many family gatherings. It holds great memories."

Comer, an award-winning REALTOR® with Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate, is an accomplished baker, animal lover and rescue advocate. She lives in Jamestown with her husband and their rescue dogs, Warren and Brady.

Have furniture to donate? Schedule a pickup on our website today, or call 336-370-4002. Or, bring items by our Greensboro or High Point locations during our donation drop-off hours, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.