NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Sleep Country USA Seeks Donations of New Clothing for Foster Kids During 3rd Annual Drive

Company Continues to Emphasize the Importance of Support From Area Businesses and Individuals to Help Foster Children Obtain Key Material Needs for Successful Growth

Just like flowers, plants, and trees, kids grow. For most kids, growing is nothing more than a few pains and a trip to the mall for a size up in clothing. However, for the more than 23,000 foster children in the Pacific Northwest, keeping up with this growth is an incredible challenge. Purchasing new clothes is often not in their caregiver's budget and foster children, who at times come only with the clothes on their back, have to make do with ill-fitting or second-hand clothing.

Sleep Country USA, the Northwest's largest seller of premium mattresses, strives to change this. Today, the company announced the beginning of its third annual new clothing drive for foster children. Donations of new clothing items, including new shoes, new pants, new tops, new socks and packaged undergarments in all sizes from infants to teenagers are being accepted at any of Sleep Country USA's stores throughout the region. Contributions will be collected until April 15th, 2007 for distribution to the 18 Pacific Northwest foster care organizations that have partnered with the company.

"Foster children are faced with incredible challenges given their unique situations," said Jessica L. Ross, community outreach manager at Treehouse, a Seattle-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping foster children in King county. "Receiving a new pair of pants often means the world to them -- just knowing that someone else cares about them. The clothes kids wear have a big impact on how they feel about themselves and foster children, like other kids, just want to fit in."

"It's important to us as a local company to invest in our community," said Terry Horsley, executive vice president of marketing & merchandising, Sleep Country USA. "We understand that foster children have to overcome more than most of us can imagine in a lifetime, and sometimes the simplest gestures can alter one's existence in a very positive way. With help from other area businesses and the incredible generosity of individuals, the Sleep Country Foster Kids campaign will continue to have a positive effect on these kids and hopefully, over time, make a considerable change in the lives of every child."

Individuals and businesses are encouraged to help area foster children by making donations of new clothing items. For the donation drop-off location nearest to you, please use the Sleep Country store locator at www.sleepcountry.com or call 1-888-88-SLEEP. The store hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

About Sleep Country USA

Sleep Country USA is the No. 1 mattress seller in the Northwestern United States, with more than 60 retail stores throughout Washington and Oregon. The company was founded in 1991 and features top-quality brand-name mattresses and premium adjustable beds, futons, and wood and metal accent beds. An industry visionary, Sleep Country USA strives to help every customer "choose well to live well." The company is active in its communities, hosting ongoing events that benefit the area's more than 23,000 foster children. For more information about Sleep Country USA or Sleep Country Foster Kids, please visit www.sleepcountry.com.