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

A Visit from a USO Volunteer at Gallery Furniture

Don Thomas dropped by Gallery Furniture today, and took time to tell his Gallery Furniture story.  "I had to come in and tell Mack that I remembered all these years later when my son had just moved to Houston and boy, let me tell you, he was just starting out at his first real job and I went up and asked Mack if there was anything we could do for my boy - and wouldn't ya know it, he went ahead and waived the delivery fee.  That was good, because we did buy a lot of furniture and that was a very nice gesture Mack made.  My family - and my son - really appreciated it."

When asked what brought Mr. Thomas to Gallery Furniture today, he smiled and said "Well, of course, what so many people come here for - I need a quality mattress.  I had been putting it off, but recently when Mack had renovated the Bush Intercontinental Airport USO where I volunteer, I remembered to come on by."  You see, it turns out Mr. Thomas is a proud USO Volunteer, showing his true patriotic spirit by serving the service men and women in the armed forces by giving of his free time at the USO at Bush Intercontinental Airport.  USO centers, like the one decorated by Gallery Furniture at Bush Intercontinental Airport, give the soldiers a sense of home and a place they can unwind as they move from base to base and to and from the forward lines of conflict.  These USO centers are havens of rest, a place to reconnect with family using computer terminals, or just somewhere to catch some well-earned Zzz's as they wait for the next plane to come in.  Mr. Thomas is proud to volunteer at the Bush USO Center, and had this to add:

"I told Mack that the Bush Center was once just a basic USO center - but now, with everything Gallery Furniture has done for the USO Center at Bush, it is truly a world-class USO center.  I mean, wow, everything, the furniture, the sofas, the chairs are top notch, the quality office chairs [built to order by United Leather of Dallas, TX], the lamps, the artwork, everything - just is quality and wonderful.  It is put together well, looks beautiful, and the place is outstanding."

Mr. Thomas then suddenly remembered he had to back to his Gallery Furniture saleswoman Shala, who normally works with Gallery Furniture's hand-made and natural-dyed rugs, and he said "You know, I came in here for a mattress, and my son has a Gallery Furniture Tempur-Pedic, and I am thinking of learning more about them myself - my son raves about his, and he says wonderful things about his Tempur-Pedic, I need to try them out."  Shala then took Mr. Thomas over to Ceasar in the gorgeous Gallery Furniture Tempur-Pedic showroom and from there, Mr. Thomas expressed again his gratitude and thanks for Mattress Mack.

"I have to say, I have been coming here for years, and it meant so much to my family and me that first time we came in here for my son - I am happy to be back.  And a big thanks to everyone at Gallery Furniture for all the hard work you folks do for the USO, that means a lot for the troops!"

And thank you, Mr. Thomas, not just for being one of the world's greatest Gallery Furniture customers, but also for your continued support and volunteer work with the USO.

USO and Harris County EMS Cooking Out for Gallery Furniture

The kind folks of the Harris County EMS Team joined forces with the USO in Sugarland, TX today to cook out for the Gallery Furniture warehouse crew who are working hard at making sure the inbound inventory of furniture like collections from HTD's solid wood mango line, Largo, Opus, and that Sumter Solid Wood furniture all are not just accounted for, but also placed in the racks and then delivered to the customers.

While the Gallery Furniture team is busy working on the inside of the new warehouse, the USO and Harris County EMS cooks are outside getting everything ready for a Texas styled lunch.

 

Whether it's burgers, chicken, hotdogs, or corn on the cob, the USO and Harris County EMS are working hard to make sure the Gallery Furniture warehouse team is well fed this Memorial Day weekend.

 

 

Chicken on the grill for Gallery Furniture warehouse employees.

Old Traditions Never Die

The honor that a man of service provides is priceless. He goes above and beyond for his loved ones and his country with only one question, “How can I serve?”  And the question one raises - what is all that he stands for when he stands for so much?  Service to our country comes from a long line of tradition, honor, loyalty, and duty - these honorable people spend countless hours away from home and holidays alone.  These men and women often leave peace and comfort behind whilst defending our great nation.  

Beyond this is the fact that the men and women of the armed forces hold on to old traditions such as writing a note to say thanks or as an expression of gratitude for contributions.  Men and women in the service are mindful of the many Americans that pray, give, and shed tears for their safety and well being and the fact that they take time to write thank-you notes says a lot about holding on to solid values.

Every time a cadet or member of the service looks at the medal, uniform, or marches in the name of the United States of America, pride and honor is recognized for their selfless acts. Although all may often think about home and family, the honorable men and woman remain loyal to one another and their country in the face of uncertain circumstances.  That is why Gallery Furniture is a proud contributor to the United States Organization (USO), a non-profit that serves those who serve the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And even in the face of danger, of all that a service member goes through, the fact that they take time to sit down and write a thank-you letter is a warm gesture that resonates with Gallery Furniture.  Living in times that change so swift and seeing many people that compromise integrity in the name for getting things done the easy way, Gallery Furniture is delighted to see that the young men and women of the armed forces are a reminder of what it means to represent honor, duty, loyalty, and tradition.

Brooke Maxey, Gallery Furniture Aggie Intern, above, works at putting together a framed collage of all the thank-you letters received by Gallery Furniture as a token of thanks for the contributions Gallery Furniture has made to the USO.

USO Thank You Letters

 

 

Gallery Furniture believes in giving back to those who give to you.  Thousands of military men and women put their lives on the line every day  for the country they love, the great United States of America.  Gallery Furniture has its own way of giving back to the military with what Gallery Furniture does best - furniture, accessories and decorating!  Mattress Mack recently donated furniture to the USO inside the Denver, CO airport, and will be donating furniture to the over 130 USOs around the world.

Several cadets from the United States Air Force Academy recently spent some time in the Denver USO waiting for flights home for the holiday season. The Cadets were overjoyed by the comfort and hospitality of the USO and were thankful for Mack’s generous donation of furniture and to the Denver USO.  Gallery Furniture received thank-you notes from these cadets and the entire staff here was glad to know that their efforts did not go unnoticed.

“ Your Gift is a testament to the amazing group of people that make up our country” – USAFA Cadet 3^rd Class Jace Caulhios said in his letter.

Items donated to thevarious  USO centers include chairs, TV’s, tables, couches, gaming centers, paint for the walls, and everything else needed to make these soldiers and their families comfortable during their time there.  Many of the USOs that Gallery Furniture are renovating were in some sore shape.  Some had old battered furniture donated from elementary schools years and years ago, some even having furniture from WWII era offices - and time took her toll on these gifts of love, and so Gallery Furniture stepped in to give these USO Centers a face lift.

The USO stations provide a place for soldiers to come and spend their time - so comfort is essential as they wait for their planes during layover or are waiting for a bus or train.  Gallery Furniture is doing everything it can to make a place worthy of the selfless soldiers that visit USO around the world.  Part of Gallery Furniture's commitment is to give a sense of comfort along with continuity - by keeping to certain styles and furniture types in each USO Center (paired with the local flavor of that USO Center), Gallery Furniture plans on making sure that there is a sense of familiarity from center to center so the troops always have a place that feels like home while away from home.  It's part of Gallery Furniture's commitment to giving back - both to the community and to the country.

“The Air Force Academy Cadet Wing and I thank you for your generosity and patriotism.” – USAFA Squadron Commander CS-23

While it is a blessing and an honor to receive these thank-you notes, it should really be all of us in the United States thanking the soldiers for all they do.  If you haven't dropped by the USO web site yet, take a visit at http://www.uso.org TODAY!  God Bless America and God Bless the Troops!

United Service Organizations

Gallery Furniture supports the USO, there is no doubt about that.  Especially since Gallery Furniture is noted as a Worldwide Strategic Partner of the USO.  Though Gallery Furniture is often asked "Okay guys, so who are these USO guys and what do they do that is so important?"  Gallery Furniture welcomes this question as opportunity to educate the local community of one of the major pillars of giving Gallery Furniture is involved with.

Americans supports the troops through the United Service Organizations (USO).  The USO has been the bridge between the American public and the U.S. military since before the United States entered World War II.  Their goal is to provide a "home away from home" to service men and women around the world.  They are a Congressionally chartered, private nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of individuals and corporations to support their efforts. 

The mission of the USO is to provide morale, welfare and recreational services to men and women in uniform, and to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military.  Examples of their support are Operation USO Care Package, Operation Enduring Care, and Mobile USO Programs  

 

The USO Operation Care Packages consists of personalized messages of support from donors, prepaid international phone card, snacks, playing cards, reading material, and hygienic kits.  Operation Enduring Care helps meet the recovery needs of injured service members and their families, and supports medical personnel who care for the wounded. The Mobile USO Programs are mobile homes designed to provide a “home away from home”. The vehicles offer a comfortable place where service men and women can relax and connect online with family and friends during their downtime. 

By supporting the USO, Americans show their appreciation and express their gratitude to the men and women who defend us.  The USO delivers its programs and services to 1.4 million active duty service members and 1.2 million National Guard and Reserves and their families.  Gallery Furniture has aided the USO through Hurricane Ike relief and looks forward to serving our men and women defending us by remodeling the 130 centers located worldwide.

How does Gallery Furniture fit in?

Gallery Furniture is a Wordlwide Strategic Partner - part of Gallery Furniture's commitment to renovate, remodel, and refurnish the over 130 centers worldwide is a cohesive commitment across all of Gallery Furniture's staff.  From decorators to furniture movers to the world class Gallery Furniture Delivery Team to the marketing and advertising division to the various vendors Gallery Furniture does business with have all pulled together for the troops.  The USO - that's how Gallery Furniture supports the troops.
 

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!

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 - 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!