The Furniture Shoppe and The Patio Shop partner for holiday project

Fowler Brothers kickoff campaign to benefit Marine Toys for Tots chapter

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 10/30/2012 3:36:17 PM

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Furniture Shoppe and The Patio Shop announced a holiday partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Chattanooga chapter. The Fowler Brothers Companies will kickoff the "Pass It Forward" campaign to benefit Toys For Tots at The Furniture Shoppe Stickley Truckload Preview Party on Thursday, Nov. 1.
The local Marine coordinator, Staff Sgt. Greg Clemens, and Capt. Joshua Mills will attend the launch to share the Toys For Tots mission of collecting and distributing new, unwrapped toys to needy children in the Chattanooga area.
Carter Fowler, fifth generation manager of The Furniture Shoppe and The Patio Shop, explained why the Marine Toys For Tots was the perfect choice for the company's holiday events. "A family tradition around the Fowler holiday table is the re-telling of a story about my grandfather, Calvin Fowler," he said. "In 1949, the holidays were approaching and the children in a small schoolhouse on Signal Mountain were not expecting a visit from Santa or any toys that year. Twenty-two-year-old Catherine Chapman Pacheco, sole principal-teacher of grades 1-8, had an audacious idea to approach my grandfather, owner of a local furniture store, Fowler Brothers Furniture. Ms. Pacheco had heard of his benevolence and took a chance that there was hope for Christmas that year. On a cold, rainy day, a soaking-wet Catherine explained the bleak economic plight of the Sawyer families to the stoic man behind the big desk. My grandfather rescued Christmas that year with a surprise visit from Santa with gifts for every single student ... and even their brothers and sisters at home who were too young to attend school."
Carter Fowler explained his desire to "Pass It Forward" and carry on his grandfather's legacy by partnering with a foundation with similar visions and goals during this season of sharing. A portion of sales at The Furniture Shoppe and The Patio Shop will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation through December with the only stipulation being that 100% of the donations stay in the Chattanooga area to help local families. In addition, donations of as little as $1, or a new, unwrapped toy can be dropped off at collection boxes located in both The Furniture Shoppe and The Patio Shop. A detailed explanation of the program will be on both websites ... TheFurnitureShoppe.net and
ThePatioShop.com. Carter invites children to come, too, to share in the giving the message of hope to these children. Every gift, no matter how small, is much appreciated.
A family tradition since 1885, the Fowler Brothers Co. stores are designed for the enjoyment of those who love their home. The Furniture Shoppe and The Patio Shop offer indoor and outdoor furniture of classic beauty, quality construction and exceptional values to meet almost every budget. Customers can special order or purchase in-stock furniture and accessories at guaranteed lowest prices.
For more information, please contact the store at 423-493-7630 or visit www.thefurnitureshoppe.net.