Two respected leaders in the National Home Furnishings Industry (NHFI) — Mike Huber and Stefanie Lucas — recently received The Spirit of Life® Award, City of Hope’s most prestigious honor.

More than 450 people attended the NHFI’s award dinner in North Carolina on April 3, contributing more than $335,000 to the total of $1.2 million the NHFI has raised for City of Hope this year.

Huber, chief executive officer of Belfort Furniture, and Lucas, president and chief executive officer of Rowe Furniture, extended their support to Walk for Hope Nationally Presented by Staples in Washington, D.C., where the Belfort Furniture team raised $25,000 in addition to a matching grant from the company for $25,000. Rowe Furniture employees also walked as a team and raised significant funds for the cause.

Established in 1978, the NHFI comprises retailers, brokers, manufacturers and related vendors from around the country who support City of Hope’s humanitarian mission. The group has raised more than $44 million since its inception. — Veronica Cardenas

Mike Huber, center, with a helping hand from his son, Matthew Huber, right, merchandise manager at Belfort Furniture, receives The Spirit of Life Award from Kevin O’Connor, president and chief executive officer of Samson Marketing.

Stefanie Lucas

More than 500 supporters traveled to Orlando, Fla., for City of Hope’s Hardware/Homebuilding Industry (HHI) gala to recognize Craig Menear, executive vice president of merchandising at The Home Depot, with The Spirit of Life® Award. The group’s 2011 Spirit of Life annual effort raised $1 million for City of Hope.

The Jan. 11 event marked the culmination of various fundraising initiatives. Mark Baker, 2010 Spirit of Life honoree, presented Menear with his award.

Menear has nearly 30 years of experience in the retail and hardware/ homebuilding industry. He has held several executive positions since joining The Home Depot in 1997. In addition, Menear is currently chair of The Home Depot Foundation’s board of directors.

Former patient Tammy Erebia spoke at the gala about her personal journey with cancer. She is a former Home Depot employee and wife of Rick Erebia, currently regional merchandise manager at The Home Depot.

Since it was founded in 1982, HHI has raised $150 million for lifesaving research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope. The group has grown to encompass a nationwide network of high-profile manufacturers and their representatives, retailers, distributors and related members.
— Laura Kim

Food and wine lovers brought their discriminating palates and generosity to the Northern California Food Industries Circle (NCFIC) 13th annual Taste of Hope on Feb. 24. The NCFIC drew an unprecedented 500 participants to the event, raising $108,000 for research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope.

Taste of Hope, which took place at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, Calif., featured 16 tasting stations that paired wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages with delicacies from popular local restaurants. A silent auction gave attendees a chance to bid on rare and unique wines, wine country vacations, gift baskets and other items.

Volunteers from major Northern California retailers such as BevMo!, Costco, Cost Plus, Draeger’s, Raley’s, Safeway and Save Mart supermarkets donated their time to host tasting stations. The volunteers also competed for attendees’ tips, which they donated to City of Hope.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the lifesaving work of researchers at City of Hope,” said Hank Gilman, a Taste of Hope committee member and sales manager at Southern Wine & Spirits. “On behalf of the committee members, we appreciate everyone’s participation, support and dedication to the success of Taste of Hope.”

Established in 1978, the NCFIC comprises regional retailers, brokers, manufacturers and related vendors who support City of Hope’s humanitarian mission. The group has raised more than $31 million since its inception.
— Heather Olinto

TNearly 600 guests attended the Angels of the Southern California Food Industries Circle (SCFIC) 16th annual “Under the Big Top” Fashion Show, raising $160,000 for cancer research and treatment programs at City of Hope.

The April 28 event, held at the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom in Anaheim, Calif., featured Mistress of Ceremonies Florence Henderson, longtime supporter of City of Hope, author and star of Broadway, film and television.

Designer Lourdes Chavez, who showcased her 2011 International Spring Collection, was presented with City of Hope’s Spirit of Life® Award for her years of commitment to the SCFIC.

The SCFIC represents more than 1,000 leading retailers, manufacturers and brokers. In its 38-year history, it has raised more than $145 million for research, treatment and education at City of Hope. — Laura Kim

The fourth annual Northern California Acosta Sales & Marketing golf tournament raised $40,000 to benefit City of Hope. The event, spearheaded by Tony Melo, Safeway team leader, and Dick MacKnight, Northern California team leader, has raised more than $155,000 for City of Hope since its inception in 2008. The May 23 tournament at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, Calif., featured speaker Sumanta Pal, M.D., assistant professor of medical oncology, who discussed his research into a gene called STAT3 and its potential as a target for prostate cancer treatment.
— Kelly Mayfield

From left, Sumanta Pal, City of Hope assistant professor of medical oncology, Tony Melo, Safeway team leader, and Brian Schmidt, general manager of Northern California Acosta Sales & Marketing

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