ARHAUS FURNITURE DONATES $50,000 TO GLOBAL DENTAL RELIEF

Dollars raised at 46 stores and Arhaus.com to support clinics and continued care for children around the world

CLEVELAND (September 24, 2013) – Arhaus Furniture closes the month of August and its Annual Storewide Sale with the announcement of a $50,000 gift to Global Dental Relief—a children’s charity started in 2001 with the goal of providing much needed dental care in impoverished nations around the world. The donation is the result of a percent of sales campaign held in 46 Arhaus stores and online at www.arhaus.com.

From August 1 to August 31, a percent from the sale of lighting—fixtures ranging from pendants and chandeliers, to table, task and floor lamps—was redirected to the Denver-based non-profit. This is the third season for this giving campaign, says CEO John Reed “customers have embraced the cause.” In total, Arhaus has contributed $151,107 to the organization—in 2012 giving $60,700 and earlier this year raising $40,407 and now a check for $50,000.

All of Arhaus’ dollars support week-long clinics hosted by Global Dental Relief. The organization and its team of volunteers—dentists, hygienists and dental assistants and non-medical personnel—treat hundreds of children up to the age of 18 at a clinic; each child receives a comprehensive check-up with cleaning and fluoride treatment, and any additional treatments necessary, such as extractions and fillings.

Conversations began between John and Global Dental Relief cofounder Laurie Mathews in 2011. John was so taken by the organization that he immediately signed up to volunteer at a clinic on the outskirts of Kathmandu in Nepal. John’s job: administering fluoride treatments to more than 600 children in 5-days.

“Kids typically hate the dentist, but there, they couldn’t wait to sit in the chair…they’re so excited…it’s funny, yet heart wrenching at the same time,” says John. Since his trip, Arhaus has donated to Global Dental Relief sponsoring several clinics, including one at Trieu Dong Primary School in a village near Hue, in Vietnam. In 5-days, 604 children received treatments: 334 fillings/restorations, 401 extractions, 358 fluoride applications and 484 sealants. The total value of care provided in U.S. dollars at this clinic alone: $161,070.

On average, the cost to Global Dental Relief to treat one child is $10—care valued at $200 in the U.S.

Arhaus has also sponsored clinics in Guatemala, treating children living in several villages high in the Mayan Highlands, and in Kenya at the Kikuyu Dental Hospital in Karen Hills, outside of Nairobi. “With this Arhaus sponsorship, we were able to serve 30 percent more children in 2013, reaching 12,000 children with care,” says Laurie. “Arhaus is really making a difference in children's health and lives throughout the world. We hope to expand our outreach with the assistance from great partners like Arhaus in 2014.”

Global Dental Relief sees children every two years to provide ongoing care. According to John, this is why he and his business remain so committed. “They don’t just visit a location once and never go back,” he says, “they treat them throughout their childhood and educate them on the importance of dental care and provide them with the necessary tools to take care of their teeth and gums.” All of the children treated receive a free toothbrush and lessons in daily brushing to maintain healthy smiles.

Since 2001 when the organization was founded, Global Dental Relief has provided care to more than 71,500 children and donated more than $14 million in care. The organization relies upon volunteers to staff its clinics; 1,074 dentists, hygienists, dental assistants and non-medical personnel donate their time and effort and pay their own travel and miscellaneous expenses. Equipment and supplies are provided through important project sponsorships. Each week-long dental camp requires up to $5,000 in dental supplies such as anesthetic, composite and amalgam material, fluoride and sealants. Clinics also require fuel for the generators and compressors that power dental units. The annual cost to maintain and replace equipment is approximately $25,000.

To make a donation or sign-up to volunteer at an upcoming clinic, visit www.globaldentalrelief.org.

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Arhaus Furniture: Arhaus offers a compelling, inspiration-filled environment—stores average 20,000+ sq. ft.— with one-of-a-kind handcrafted home furnishings reflective of a distinct global point-of-view. Arhaus collaborates with skilled artisans all over the world who craft its many exclusive collections, which are complemented by timeless upholstered pieces (slipcovered, leather and custom-ordered seating), indoor and outdoor dining tables and chairs, bedroom and office furniture, seasonally-inspired accessories, private label bedding, throws and accents, and more. Made of the world’s finest materials (with attention to sustainability), products are presented in dramatic lifestyle settings infused with original architectural elements imported from Parisian flea markets and Tuscan villas, hand-painted murals, Arhaus Relics, or repurposed antiques, and the freshest botanicals sourced locally in each store market. Privately owned and operated, currently there 46+ stores in the U.S. The home furnishings retailer was founded in 1986 by father and son, Jack and John Reed, and is headquartered in Cleveland, OH. For more information, call 866.427.4287 or visit us on the web at arhaus.com.

“Furnishing a better world.” This is our philosophy; it dates back to 1986 when father and son, Jack and John Reed, opened the first store location in Cleveland and vowed never to use wood from the world’s endangered rainforests in the making of an Arhaus design. Today, nearly 50 percent of our collections are made of recycled material—everything from glass, to metals like copper and wood cast off from far off lands. To ensure our values are upheld, we work with artisans who share our earth conscious values and use renewable and recycled materials when crafting pieces for our stores. Sustainably sourced timbers like teak, bamboo and mango—grown for the sole purpose of building—are used. And because we love a good story, we use reclaimed materials whenever possible, namely wood from countries tearing down dilapidated barns, shipyards and rural structures, and we refurbish one-of-a-kind antiques—we call these pieces Relics. To further minimize our impact on the environment, our stores, corporate offices and even delivery trucks operate as maximum energy efficiency and promotional pieces are printed using soy-based ink and on recycled paper.

About Global Dental Relief

Global Dental Relief (GDR) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization established in 2001 to provide free dental care and oral health education to impoverished children and families in Nepal, northern India and selected locations in Vietnam and Guatemala.  In 2013, GDR began operating clinics in the Kikuyu Medical center on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya and in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  GDR's commitment is to return to these same children every two years to provide continuous care. GDR runs 13 projects per year to a variety of locations – each including a five- to six-day intensive dental clinic followed by optional opportunities to explore the surrounding area and culture.  Since 2001, GDR has hosted more than 1,074 volunteers and treated 71,500 children. For more information about Global Dental Relief, visit globaldentalrelief.org.

Media Inquiries, Contact:
Kimberly Clark, ARHAUS FURNITURE
E: kclark@arhaus.com / O: 440.439.7700 x3038 / C: 330.240.7004

Advertising Inquiries, Contact:
Maria Smith, ARHAUS FURNITURE
E: msmith@arhaus.com / O: 440.439.7700 x3035

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