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SOUTHFIELD — Gorman’s Home Furnishings and Interior Design, in collaboration with the nonprofits Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit, Habitat Oakland ReStore and Humble Design Detroit, will host the second annual “Michigan’s Largest Housewarming Party” furniture drive event.
The drive serves as an opportunity to collect gently-used and new furniture, as well as unused household items to distribute to metro Detroit families in need.
Each Tuesday through Feb. 25, Gorman’s will offer free furniture pickup from homes across the metro Detroit area, which must be scheduled in advance.
Duane Petroskey, the president of Gorman’s, said the idea for the furniture drive came up when the company was brainstorming ways to give back to the community and get involved with charities that help end homelessness and get people into safe living spaces.
“Quite honestly, we didn’t know what would happen, if it would work or not work. As soon as it was announced last year, the response was just overwhelming,” Petroskey said.
He added that they ended up collecting over 400 pieces of furniture from last year’s drive.
“A lot of people who have furniture that they’re not using, but is still in good condition and is still usable, they don’t know how to get rid of it, or where to get rid of it, or they don’t have the means to get rid of it,” Petroskey said. “They don’t have a truck to put it in and bring it to these places. With us being a furniture store, we have the means to do that. … So, you know, it kind of just really turned into a win-win for everybody.”
Michele Hodges, CEO of Habitat Oakland ReStores, said, “Partnerships like this are what fuel our mission, and that fuel is essential. And we’re very grateful to those who have stood up and decided that they, too, want to be part of the good.”
Habitat Oakland ReStore has a location in Waterford, and recently moved its Farmington Hills location to a larger space in Southfield, a community that the organization has been involved with since 2016.
Hodges shared that the partnership between Habitat for Humanity Oakland County and the city of Southfield has been vital for building a more vibrant and thriving community.
“It couldn’t be better or more prolific, or more fertile, and the people who benefit most from that are those who really are in need of a decent and affordable place to live,” Hodges said. “And at the same time, we’re building vibrant communities … that all benefit, because the greater the tax base, the more able we are to deliver on community and city services, so we salute them.”
She added that last year, Habitat for Humanity Oakland County, through the Rock the Block program, built six homes, four of which were in Southfield, and helped repair more than 100 homes, with a number of them located in Southfield.
Hodges said that since the opening of the new Habitat Oakland ReStore location, Habitat has received a warm welcome from the community.
“We’re excited about being present right there in the heart of the wonderful community of Southfield,” Hodges said.
Those interested in participating can call or visit one of Gorman’s locations, which are in Novi, Southfield, and Troy, to select an appointment day and time.
Generally accepted items include sofas, chairs, kitchen tables, dressers, bed frames, bookshelves, and coffee/end tables. Smaller-scale furniture is especially needed.
All items must be free of rips, tears and stains.
Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit
As North America’s oldest furniture bank, Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit helps families in need transform their dwellings into warm, welcoming homes.
Some of the items on its wish list include sofas, loveseats, dressers, small dining/kitchen tables, dining/kitchen chairs, living room chairs, coffee and end tables, bedding, towels, pots and pans and flatware.
Humble Design Detroit
Humble Design is looking for donations of gently-used furniture and household goods for families in need.
Some of the items on its wish list include sofas, loveseats, bed frames, dressers, bedding, bath towels and kitchen items.
Habitat Oakland ReStore
Habitat Oakland ReStore offers a wide variety of new and gently-used living, dining, kitchen, bedroom, and office furniture, plus many décor items at affordable prices.
Some of the items on its wish list include furniture, dishes, cutlery and flatware, pots and pans, glassware, bakeware, cookware, pictures, lamps and appliances.
Also accepted by Gorman’s
In addition to furniture, Gorman’s will collect new, unused household essentials, including dish towels, oven mitts, small kitchen tools, appliances, measuring cups and bath towels, to supply to its nonprofit partners.
Items can be dropped off at any Gorman’s showroom location, its warehouse, or the “3-Day Clearance Center” in Farmington Hills during regular business hours.
Hours and addresses are available at gormans.com.
Furniture items not accepted at this time include armoires, baby furniture, cabinets with missing doors, drawers or protruding nails, china cabinets, wall units, entertainment centers, large desks, mattresses and box springs, sleeper sofas, TV/media armoires, cabinets, unframed mirrors or artwork, game tables, glass furniture, hutch desks, and daybeds or trundle beds.
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