Kimball’s BrandSource owner Nick Bondarek with sales manager Jane Williams, who inspired this year’s choice of charity.
Black Friday promotion to aid those with developmental disabilities
By Andy Kriege, YSN
Every holiday season for the past five years, Kimball’s BrandSource has given something back to its hometown community of Port Huron, Mich.
This year, store owner Nick Bondarek will donate 10% of all sales garnered during Black Friday/Small Business Saturday weekend to The Arc of St. Clair County, the local chapter of the national non-profit service group. The organization advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly those afflicted with autism, and assists more than 500 residents each year throughout the greater Port Huron area.
Next week’s charity of choice hits especially close to home for the company.
“This year we chose a charity that is near and dear to our Kimball’s family,” Bondarek said. “Sales manager Jane Williams has an autistic son named Preston who we all know and love so we felt strongly about supporting the ARC.
“Every year the event grows as more people become aware of it,” he said. “It has been a great way to raise money for and awareness of the many great charities in the area, and gives us a chance to help out and support our community.”
Williams said the organization is a great cause to support. “I’m very excited as The ARC does many great things for people with disabilities,” she said. “They are a great organization for many things, like helping with resources that you may not have known of for housing, public benefits, training for both parents, and individuals struggling for inclusion in the community.”
The company’s Black Friday fundraisers have also received vendor support through donations of attention-grabbing door prizes that are awarded throughout weekend, and Bondarek anticipates several brands pitching in again this year. “It would help generate some foot traffic along with a little extra excitement for the customers,” he said.
Related: Why Customers Go ‘Buggy’ Over Kimball’s
Bondarek also generates traffic by promoting the sales event across the company’s social media platforms and has garnered coverage by several local media outlets. Participating charities have also touted the partnership through press releases and social media.
“Our donations have grown year after year,” Bondarek said, “and we want to make this year the biggest ever.”
BrandSource, a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc., is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.
