Official Blog of Gallery Furniture's Mattress Mack of Houston, TX

USO Hobby - More Pictures from the Official Launch Press Conference

Gallery Furniture is proud and most grateful to be a startegic worldwide partner with the USO.  The official launch press conference at Hobby yesterday announcing the efforts of Gallery Furniture as it furnishes the over 130 USO Centers worldwide to help improve them and give them a sense of home for our men and women in uniform.

Here are some behind the scenes pictures from the press conference at the USO Hobby Center...

USO Staffer David ready for the festivities to start at the Hobby Center.

Greg Brubeck and his wife Beba settle down in the USO Hobby Center decorated by Gallery Furniture.

Entry Conversation area at the USO at the Hobby Center.

Getting ready and shootin' the breeze before the big moment is up.

Camera crews get ready from various Houston news stations to cover the USO report.

Looks like KHOU (The Spirit of Texas) is filming Daryl Luckett!  Cameras roll as Daryl sings "God Bless America."

Deep in discussions - from left to right Jeff Hill of the USO, Mattress Mack, and Colonel Barlow going over the next few centers for the USO.

There is always room for pie, Daryl Luckett dines on some Apple Pie courtesy of The Flying Saucer Pie Company of Houston.  Nothing is more American than Apple Pie!

Gallery Furniture and USO Officially Announce Gallery's Worldwide Strategic Partnership Program!

Gallery Furniture officially kicked off its USO Strategic Worldwide Partnership Program today - yes, folks have been reading about the furniture remodeling at places like Hobby Airport USO, Fort Carson, the Baghdad USO, and other locations (including Fort Drum and the Philadelphia Airport USO).  The press conference held this afternoon at Hobby Airport was the official kick-off of a program already engaged in by Gallery Furniture for some time.

The ambitious project - a commitment to renovate the over 130 USO Centers world-wide - has service persons, USO staffers, and Gallery Furniture employees alike bubbling over the brim with excitement, enthusiasm, and deeply rooted patriotic feelings - and there was no shortage of any today!

Col. Susie Barlow of the USO started off the press conference with her remarks explaining her feelings towards Mattress Mack's dedication to the USO and the patriotism exhibited by Gallery Furniture towards the USO Program.

Jack Flannigan, Senior Vice President of the USO (essentially the 2nd in command at the USO), and echoed the statements of Col. Susie Barlow.

Col. DeLeon then spoke, explaining to folks the importance of USO centers and the importance of Worldwide Strategic Partners like Gallery Furniture who strive hard to ensure a pleasant environment for the troops wherever they are.

Next up was Mattress Mack, who spoke about the program and Gallery Furniture's commitment to the USO as a Worldwide Strategic Partner - emphasizing the need for a sense of home at the various USO centers worldwide.

Gallery Furniture's own Daryl Luckett sang God Bless America for the crowd on hand.

After Daryl's moving performance, Congressman Gene Green of the 29th Congressional District of Texas spoke and praised Gallery Furniture for its commitment to the men and women of the armed forces.  Congressman Green was very uplifting and even added his own nostalgic bit of appreciation for Gallery Furniture by stating that he "was most thankful to have Mack in his District" and had watched the store grow over the years.

Gallery Furniture is happy to have participated in this wonderful event and is looking forward to the dream of making comfortable places for this nation's troops to feel at home at in the over 130 USO Centers around the world.  God Bless our troops, and God Bless America.

Opening the doors at USO Hobby (from left: Jeff Hill of the USO, Mack, Susie Barlow, and Jack Flannigan).

New Computer area at the USO Hobby!

A Trail of Mattresses

Paul S. is a  happy Tempur-Pedic mattress owner, but he left a trail of other mattresses to get to his new Tempur-Pedic.

Paul has arthritis and a comfortable bed is important to him.  His search for a good night's sleep started with a latex mattress with a pillow top that he bought from Finger's.  Paul says it was not too long before the mattress sank in the middle and he had trouble getting out of it. He's not that good at rolling uphill, he says.

So Paul went to Bel Furniture and bought a memory foam mattress.  He says he slept on it one night and couldn't get up the next morning.  Paul says it took an hour to get moving.

That was it for the memory foam mattress that was supposed to be just like a Tempur-Pedic.  Paul's next stop was Gallery Furniture to look at a Tempur-Pedic.

Paul says he'd heard a lot about the Tempur-Pedic and thought it was "an over-priced bunch of rubber" until he spent his first night on a new Tempur-Pedic Rhapsody.  "I don't know how they make them," he says.  "But they've got the formula.  Nobody can duplicate it."

Paul's right.  Tempur-Pedic has the formula, the PATENTED formula for the Tempur material in each Tempur-Pedic.

How does he sleep now?  Paul says he's getting the best night's sleep he's ever had, sleeping all night.

Or as he puts it, "I just feel good."

If you're looking for a good night's sleep, you don't have to try a series of mattresses.  Make one stop at Gallery Furniture and get a new Tempur-Pedic and see if you don't get a great night's sleep that very  night.  You can, because Gallery Furniture will have your new Tempur-Pedic in your home tonight!

Pictures from the Gallery Furniture sponsored USO Mobile Canteen

Gallery Furniture has been sponsoring three USO Mobile Canteens to go to the affected areas of the Texas Gulf Coast impacted by Hurricane Ike.  Tonia White, a Director of Development for the USO, brought us her blog earlier, and has now sent some photos she took during her stay with the Jamaica Beach USO Mobile Canteen.  Her pictures from her perspective on the Gallery Furniture USO Mobile Canteen...

On far left is Darrel Luckett of Gallery Furniture, posing with the rest of the USO Mobile Canteen staff at the Gallery Furniture sponsored USO Mobile Canteen.

Some Fire / EMS staff from the local area enjoying Internet connectivity and flat screen television courtesy of the Gallery Furniture sponsored USO Mobile Canteen!

The memories live on - at the Jamaica Beach Fire Department, other departments have left their mark on the support beams.  A testament to those who helped in the wake of destruction of Hurricane Ike.

Hot meals, friends, neighbors, workers gather to talk, enjoy some down time as they work to rebuild their community one day at a time.

A quiet moment as local residents stand at attention during the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner.  A true testament to the American Spirit.

The road goes on forever... the Gallery Furniture sponsored USO Mobile Canteen heads to its next destination.

A Blog from the Gallery Furniture-sponsored USO Mobile Canteen

Gallery Furniture loves to receive blogs from the field from folks who are a part of our service projects.  Often, in situations like those following Hurricane Ike, Gallery Furniture finds that the greatest good is served by giving to large organizations so they can distribute to individuals in need, like the men and women who are helping to rebuild communities impacted by the storm.  That's why Gallery Furniture has sponsored the USO Mobile Canteens to go along the Texas Gulf Coast from Galveston to Crystal Beach and provide a warm meal and bring some basic comforts along to residents and folks rebuilding.

Here's a blog from Tonia White, a Director of Development for the USO, with her report from the field:

JAMAICA BEACH, TX -  "Do you think you could leave it on until Letterman?" the Chief asked. "Its been so long since I watched TV."   Unfortunately, the crew of the USO Mobile Vehicle that contained the 2 coveted flat screens had planned on packing up just after the Monday night football game was over.  The crew had brought the almost 40 foot RV out to Jamaica Beach, one of the devastated areas of the Gulf Coast, that afternoon to give the remaining residents and the local first responders a brief touch of home through Monday Night Football and grilled hamburgers. 

Volunteer Fire Chief Steve Spicer and his crew of twelve men have been watching over their city of Jamaica Beach since Hurricane Ike hit the area over 30 days ago.  They were part of the first responders in the region. Although they now have water, ice and electricity in their building, the rebuilding still continues in the remaining areas.  Chief Spicer sits back in his chair, his half chewed cigar poised purposefully in his left hand, " I will gladly talk to you about my men", my question about him and his own contributions left politely ignored. Besides the massive amounts of destruction and debris, they most noticed the horrid stench and huge numbers of biting green flies, "It was almost biblical," he added. 

They found ways to improvise a working area by salvaging picnic tables for desks and a barbecue pit nicknamed 'Ike' to have hot meals on occasion.  Mostly the Chief prays for nightfall, when he says the calls for medical or other aid diminish, and he can have a brief respite from his demanding role until the next daybreak.  One of the most remarkable aspects of Chief Spicer and his men is that they are all volunteers, and do not have any idea how long the rebuilding will take.  All are wondering what fires will come when the electricity is finally restored to the damaged area.

They have made a home above the firehouse and periodically share their space with firemen from surrounding areas that come to lend support in 48 hour shifts. Today a crew from Missouri City, TX helps with keeping watch, although things have been relatively quiet on this Monday night.

That is until the USO arrived.  Sponsored by local Houston furniture dealer and consistent philanthropist, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, the USO and Mattress Mack partnered to bring to the firemen, EMTs, Coast Guard and remaining residents a sense of normalcy and home for at least one night.  The USO brought the high tech mobile vehicle with connectivity, flat screens and X Box games, Mattress Mack supplied the food, and news spread through emergency radios or anyone passing by well-lit firehouse.  The USO and Mack have been providing relief to several areas in the region over the last few weeks and even though its not the USO's usual mission, they continue to "serve those who serve us" in the devastated region. 

Thanks a million, Tonia, for your report from the field.  Gallery Furniture is proud to partner with the USO and their Mobile Canteens to bring some small comforts of home to those along the impacted area! Tonia event sent some photos along to highlight the positive impact the Gallery Furniture sponsored USO mobile canteens are bringing:

Chief Steve Spicer (foreground) and Jamaica Beach City Manager John Brick (back).

Daybreak at the Gallery Furniture sponsored mobile canteen in Jamaica Beach.

These colors don't run... a patriotic tribute to show strength in face of the adversity and after the damage wrought by Hurricane Ike.

A familiar sight around Jamaica Beach and other impacted areas - boats came ashore during Hurricane Ike and left scattered on streets and lawns.

Gallery Furniture Delivers to New Mexico

When Gallery Furniture says delivery everywhere... Gallery Furniture means it!  Back now from New Mexico is Gallery Furniture Delivery Professional Jeremy Hunt, with a tale of his delivery to Angel Fire, New Mexico.

Thanks, Mack.  I just returned from Angel Fire, New Mexico (located in north central New Mexico, about 150 miles north east of Albuquerque.    It was a house full of furniture and an overall amazing and fun delivery - full of challenges and fabulous American scenery that remind me why I love this great country.

From the beautiful plains of New Mexico to the drive through Cinnamon Valley with mountains on every side, seeing Buffalo grazing, elk crossing the highway, to snow-covered mountain peaks, it was all a gentle reminder of the great diverse countryside that we have here in the United States.  Whether you live along the Gulf Coast, or the Great Lakes, the buzzing metropolises of New York or Los Angeles, or the hillsides of the northeastern states, the mountains in the west, or the beaches of Florida - this great United States has something to behold no matter who you are.  And New Mexico was no different.

Arriving at the customer's home in Angel Fire, we started to unload.  Our Gallery Furniture customer had a home in the beautiful mountains - and the delivery appeared to be a challenging one, almost as big a challenge as the mountain itself!  We had a winding, low-ceiling staircase that had two very sharp turns.  What most Houston furniture stores see as impossible, Gallery Furniture sees as yet another fun challenge in furniture delivery as we strive to excel!

Solution?  Well, Mack, the solution presented itself in the form of the 3rd floor balcony - out comes the rope and up goes our Gallery Furniture customer's new bed!  And not a scratch on the house or the furniture!  The Gallery Furniture customer was amazed, of course, at how well we were able to handle the delivery and overcome the challenges presented.

Thanks, Jeremy Hunt!  Folks, from sales to delivery, Gallery Furniture has you covered - from Hawaii to Baghdad, from Mexico to the northernmost city in Michigan, Gallery Furniture will have your furniture wherever you live.  For those within a one hundred mile radius, Gallery Furniture will deliver to your home the same day you buy it!  Folks in New Mexico - just give us a little more time, and you, too can enjoy your new bedroom, living room, dining room, Tempur-Pedic, or anything else in record time! 

Gallery Furniture - The Fort Carson Clubhouse for Heroes

Gallery Furniture is continuing its aggressive campaign to refurnish and redecorate over 130 USO Centers world-wide, all so that the men and women of the American Armed Forces can have fun and relaxing places to unwind, play some XBox or Wii, and take in a movie.  The USO Centers are not often highlighted as part of the daily work that the USO does, but they are so vital and so critical to our men and women in uniform that they need to be in tip-top shape to give our fighters for freedom a great place to unwind as they move around the country.  Whether they are locate on base, in an airport or train terminal, or in far away cities like Baghdad - Gallery Furniture has committed itseld to refurnish the over 130 USO Centers worldwide.

Helping in this endeavor is Gallery Furniture's own Jeremy Hunt, an out-of-state delivery expert who handles a lot of Gallery Furniture's more challenging long-range furniture deliveries.  When Gallery Furniture states that "Gallery Furniture Ships to Customers Everywhere" there is a great chance that shipment will arrive with Jeremy Hunt at your doorstep ready to have your new Gallery Furniture living room, dining room, or bedroom furniture set-up.

Therefore, it's a natural choice to have Gallery Furniture send Jeremy Hunt on many of our trips to furnish and decorate the USO Centers.  Here is Jeremy's tale from Fort Carson, Colorado...

Mack, I just wanted to say that I am pleased to be helping with the Gallery Furniture-USO project.  On this trip, Gallery Furniture helped to redecorate the USO on base at Fort Carson, Colorado, which is known as "The Mountain Post" - It is interesting to note that Fort Carson was established in 1942, following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.  Turns out that the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado purchased land south of the city and donated it to the War Department (now known as the State Department).  Construction began immediately and the first building, the camp headquarters, was completed by January 31, 1942 - that was pretty fast!  The name for Fort Carson comes as an honor to the legendary Army scout, Gen. Christopher "Kit" Carson, who explored much of the West in the 1800s.

Below, Mack, are some pictures Gallery Furniture received of Fort Carson prior to Gallery Furniture providing the furniture for the new building! 

When Gallery Furniture got everything loaded - including furniture manufactured by Crown Mark Furniture and custom leather from United Leather USA of Dallas, Texas - I hit the road for Fort Carson from Houston, TX!  Mack, I have to say it was a long trip, but it was a lovely and scenic trip!

Scenic route en route to Fort Carson.

Parking the Gallery Furniture Truck next to a USO Mobile Canteen unit outside The Mountain Post base at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Shot of the side of the Fort Carson Building, showing the Fort Carson Logo (right) and the Division West emblem (left).

The work begins - bringing the furniture into the USO Center at Fort Carson.  The unique aspect of the USO Center here at Fort Carson is that it also serves as the check-in point for the base, so families can intermingle with their loved ones who are signing in to serve for the good ol' USA!

Gallery Furniture also brought along artwork supplied by Paige Richardson of Crown Mark Furniture. 

Base staff and volunteers stand in the newly remodeled and refurnished USO Fort Carson dining center, courtesy of Gallery Furniture of Houston!  Thanks to base staff and volunteers, I was able to get a lot accomplished for this base.  Special thanks also go out to Gallery Furniture driver/helper Jose Ayala, part of the Gallery Furniture World Famous Delivery Squad.

More staff and soldier volunteers - and yes, Mack, there's me in the back, center, in the orange shirt.  Mack, I have to say it was a great experience to give back to the soldiers who give so much to us and our country. 

Well, Mack, before I left the beautiful USO center I was allowed on the rooftop to take some shots - this was a beautiful view from the top of the USO center at Fort Carson, Colorado!

A big Gallery Furniture thanks to Jeremy Hunt and Jose Ayala for making the USO at Fort Carson a real clubhouse for our American heroes.  Gallery Furniture really appreciates everything the men and women in the armed services do for this fine country.  It is an honor and a privilege for Gallery Furniture to be a Worldwide Strategic Partner with the USO, and it is our pleasure to serve their needs!

USO Mobile Canteens On the Coast

Gallery Furniture and the USO are partners in providing assistance to people who have been hit hard by Hurricane Ike.  Gallery Furniture is proud to underwrite the efforts of three USO mobile canteens along the Texas Gulf Coast, providing aid to military familes and others who need assistance.

That aid comes in the form of a hot meal, something to drink, access to a television and the internet, and sometimes a clean tee shirt.

Here are some pictures from the USO mobile canteen's visit to Jamaica Beach.