Sheely’s Furniture & Appliance raised $21,000 last quarter for the Ohio charity Clothed in Strength. From left, buyer/principal Lance Romeo; assistant sales manager Chantell Strawhecker; sales manager Paul Stehnach; and Heather Front, the aid group’s founder.
Philanthropy is in this Ohio member’s DNA
By Janet Weyandt, YSN
Four times a year, BrandSource member Sheely’s Furniture & Appliance in Northern Ohio runs a fundraising event to benefit a local charity.
This past quarter they blew their previous efforts out of the water by raising $21,319, bringing the total funds donated over six years to $227,507.43.
It all started in 2018, when the family business changed ownership and decided to start something new, said Jessica Smith, principal of Sheely’s.
“We wanted to get back to the principles my grandfather had always promoted in giving back to the community,” Smith said. “It was paramount for my grandparents to give back as they came from nothing.”
Charitably Minded
The company was founded in the 1950s by Dale Sheely Sr., who worked during the day wiring houses and at night selling hot water heaters. He and his wife, Alyce, grew their business and their family, eventually expanding into appliances and later adding furniture.
Philanthropy was baked into the family business from the beginning. Dale and Alyce established the Sheely Foundation, which to this day continues giving financial support to more than 200 local churches and five major charitable organizations.
In 2019, the quarterly charity drive was established.
Supporting the Community
The dealer chooses a charity for each quarterly drive based on suggestions from the community and a follow-up survey on their social media channels, Smith said.
“There are usually a few suggested organizations based upon requests we have received, but we also always have a write-in line so anyone can win,” she said. “We always tell people to promote and share to have the best chance! The community truly is the voice this way.”
Last quarter’s recipient was Clothed in Strength, which provides clothing, financial support and resources to low- to moderate-income single mothers and their children in Ohio. Past recipients include the Akron Children’s Hospital and local chapters of the Humane Society and American Heart Association.
The quarterly fundraiser typically brings in between $12,000 and $18,000, Smith said, making the Q4 donation to Clothed in Strength their best ever.
Group Effort
Customers participate by donating to the cause, Smith said. Sheely’s suggests a $10 contribution and offers a discount for shoppers who donate. The dealer matches the total amount donated, excluding any corporate sponsorships, Smith said.
The fundraising goes on all year, too, with initiatives like casual Fridays — where employees make a donation to wear jeans on Friday — along with clothing and diaper drives.
In addition, Sheely’s established the Daly Sheely Sr. STEM Scholarship, which awards two $5,000 grants to local students, and also sponsors area schools, sports teams and organizations.
Smith said the communities of North Lima and Aurora, where Sheely’s stores are located, always rise to the occasion and support the cause.
“I think everyone appreciates it,” Smith said. “It’s a win all the way around and hopefully shows we care.”
YSN publisher AVB BrandSource is the nation’s largest merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.
