Last year, AFR was presented with the opportunity to partner with a unique charitable organization, Event Pros Take Action (EPTA), and change the lives of two families devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
In lieu of holiday gifts this past December, AFR officials donated to the St. Bernard Project in New Orleans to help rebuild and furnish two family homes in partnership with EPTA and the National Association of Catering Executives. AFR Event Furnishings worked alongside industry Design Angels, Mark Wells and Richard Carbotti, and a team of event pros from July 17 through July 20 to design, rebuild and completely furnish homes for two displaced families. The furnishings included living room, dining room and bedroom sets, carpet, end tables, flat-screen televisions, kitchen items and much more.
“There is something life-changing about impacting someone’s life in such a meaningful way, and AFR is a proud supporter of Event Pros Take Action and their efforts to help New Orleans families that are still being ripped apart by the aftermath of the 2005 storm,” said Norman Imaoka, vice president, AFR.
Meals prepared by local chefs welcomed the two families as they returned to their homes after seven long years of being displaced by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
“This is a mission that is close to our hearts and the heart of our business. AFR creates products that are about comfort. Helping to refurbish and refurnish homes so that families displaced by Hurricane Katrina have that same opportunity was a natural fit for us,” said Tricia Schmitt, director of marketing, AFR. “Getting to experience it all first-hand was really emotionally astounding. It was a joy to meet the families, hear their stories and get to know them.”
Giving back and partnering in worthy causes is AFR Event Furnishing’s way of supporting clients, communities and the events industry by providing educational opportunities, charitable acts and funding. The firm furnishes events for the meeting, tradeshow and event industry throughout the United States.
