At a time when the giving hand may be tight-fisted and nonprofit organizations are struggling, one small business owner on Park Lane has taken a big stand.
“I realize my business is small – I wish I could give more,” said Simplicity Décor store owner A Liengboonlertchai, who handed Hopelink officials a $4200 check Wednesday, April 29. “But what counts is that I give what I can.”
Liengboonlertchai raised the money as part of Simplicity Décor’s Giving Project that he has done every year since the store opened in 2006. Last November-December, 10 percent of all the store’s sale proceeds were held for Hopelink and another five percent went back to customers. The proceeds will benefit Hopelink’s Food and Housing Program for homeless families in need.
Sandy Clark, Hopelink’s Business and Foundations relations manager, said during “a time when you hear about businesses closing down because of the poor economy, it’s so wonderful to have a small business step forward and share.”
Denise Stephens, Hopelink’s public relations specialist, added the nonprofit organization that serves the Eastside “needs help from the entire community. It takes all businesses – from Microsoft to Simplicity Décor – to help.”
Liengboonlertchai’s business plan all along has been to use his unique home decor store to help others, he said, noting that in 2006 he partnered with KTUB (Kirkland Teen Union Building) to raise money for the organization.
Next, he will host Simplicity Décor’s Home Series, a month of complimentary classes designed to help beautify the home and stay creative. Attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food that will go to Hopelink’s End Summer Hunger Program.
The series, hosted by creative home and lifestyle experts, will begin Thursday, May 21 with speaker Patti Bosket, founder of Au Naturel. Participants will learn how to create inexpensive, eco-friendly floral and other arrangements to create tranquil spaces in the home. The class runs from 6:30-8 p.m. at Simplicity Décor, located at 126 Park Lane.
For information, visit www.simplicitydecor.com or call 425-803-0386.
