Supporting the American Cancer Society is very personal for City Furniture President Andrew Koenig, and it shows.
“My mom loved working to support the American Cancer Society. It was her biggest passion, even before she was diagnosed with breast cancer,” a visibly emotional Koenig says in a video posted on the Home Furnishings Association member’s Facebook page.
“My mom Doreen lost her courageous battle with breast cancer in 2015,” Koenig continues. “October was a special month for my mom. I have a fond memory of her and these little pumpkin buckets she would have made around Halloween. She gave them out to everyone – our associates, our customers, friends and even neighbors. They were her special way to raise awareness for breast cancer and the toll it takes on everyone it affects.”
City Furniture is based in Tamarac, Fla., and operates 21 stores in south and central Florida. It was co-founded by Koenig’s father, Keith, who is CEO of the Top 100 furniture retailer.
City follows a 5 percent giving pledge, donating at least 5 percent of annual profits to community causes. The Florida chapter of ACS is special. Before she died, Andrew Koenig says, his mother asked that 20,000 pink pumpkin candy buckets should be handed out at the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
Pink pumpkins are ‘a symbol of my mom’s memory’
“The pink pumpkins, as I call them, are a symbol of my mom’s memory and how much she meant to me, our family, our company and our entire community,” Koenig says in the video. “This October, look for our incredible, hand-carved pink pumpkin installations in our City stores and our generous partner locations. Stop to think about someone you know that is battling breast cancer and celebrate their life and spirit. I hope you’ll consider supporting the American Cancer Society in any way you’re able to. Any size donation helps. So, in memory of my mom and everyone in our community who has struggled with or is now battling breast cancer, I dedicate the pink pumpkins to you.”
“The pink pumpkins are inspired by the late Doreen Koenig, who dedicated her life to raising funds for breast cancer research, before losing her own brave battle with the disease in 2015,” ACS Florida says. “They represent a story, a memory, a call to action, a celebration, and a symbol of life. They exist to encourage us to work harder to find a cure in honor of those we have lost, and of those who have been touched by breast cancer in any way.”
This year, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events will be virtual neighborhood walks held on various dates in mid-to-late October. Information can be found here.
[City Furniture adding 500 jobs to keep up with growth]
Not a member of the HFA? Let us know you’re interested and we’ll show you the benefits.
