We're excited to launch our brand-new fundraising celebration, Furniture Revival. This meaningful, high-energy experience occurs in tandem with our online Fall Furniture Auction and channels HGTV and DIY Network, with a Greensboro nonprofit twist to demonstrate the power of furniture to change lives. We've gathered a roster of incredible design teams who are as we speak crafting works of art out of furniture that only a few weeks ago was headed for the landfill. On Saturday, Oct. 23 we'll pay homage to these artists and make merry as we count down the end of auction. Tickets are on sale now on our website.
This is a new chapter in Barnabas fundraising, and it's all happening thanks to a dedicated team of sponsors who believe in us, sponsors like Robert and Laura Green. Robert and Laura are longtime Barnabas supporters and Robert, who is senior vice president of wealth management at UBS, serves on our Board.
We asked Robert the question, "Why Barnabas?" in a quick Q & A about furniture, life, and giving.
What led you to The Barnabas Network?
(Longtime supporter and former Board member) "Harriette Knox! We were having dinner one evening and she was asking some financial questions and discussing development issues regarding nonprofits. As the conversation progressed during the evening, Harriette simply asked if I would consider serving on the Barnabas Board, to which I responded with an immediate Yes!"
Do you have a favorite piece of furniture in your home?
"We have a few antique pieces that are my favorites and all happen to be in our dining room. The first piece is a 4- 5 ft. wide & 8+ ft. high armoire closet that we acquired while living in Portland, Oregon 35 years ago and serves as storage for various dining linens and a sundry of other dining related materials. Other pieces in our dining room include a wooden ice box as well as a backgammon table acquired over 40 years ago, along with an antique granite top side table, and finally, an antique side-board cabinet that we use as storage for our fine china and silver pieces. Each of these pieces are unique but all fit well together in one room."
What is it about Barnabas's mission that inspires you to be involved?
"Simply, having the opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives, especially children. Particularly, I have a soft spot for children and I cannot imagine a child not having a bed to rest in every night. I have been very fortunate in my life and career; therefore, it is my view that one should be as philanthropically inclined as one is comfortable doing so, whether it is solely with one’s time or combined with gifting of one’s financial resources as well. This particularly hit home with me when I was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago. I realized that I needed to begin giving back as much as possible now because I had no idea how long I had to make a difference -- and that I had better get busy making it happen!"
Robert and Laura were our flagship Bespoke sponsors for Furniture Revival, and we're so thankful to have them on Team Barnabas. This type of support is precious when you're in the hand-up business. As Robert says, "At the end of the day, Philanthropy is all about making a difference in as many lives as possible."
P.S. Thanks, Harriette!