Turning Sweat to Sweet Dreams: The Furniture Bank Bed Race and 5K Benefits Recently Homeless
Fifth Annual Event Features Chipped 5K
ATLANTA – September 30, 2015 – The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta is asking Metro Atlantans to get out of bed early on Saturday, October 10, so that others might have a bed to sleep on. Proceeds from the Bed Race and the 5K will go toward providing furniture to people coming out of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence or living with HIV/AIDS.
In its fifth year, the 2015 Atlanta Bed Race is a fund-raising event that benefits The Furniture Bank, the only agency in metro Atlanta whose mission is to provide free furniture to people in need. Provided with a twin bed on wheels, five-person race teams choose a theme and costumes; take part in the parade of beds; and then race “lights out” down the street. Awards are given for “Best Costumes” and “Bed Race Winner.”
The 5k will be chipped, and prizes will be awarded to the top male and female runners in all age groups. The 5K will start and end at Central Park at Atlantic Station. The Bed Race will begin on 17½ Street and end at Central Park.
The deadline to enter a Bed Race team is October 4 at midnight. Entry fee for the Bed Race is $125 ($25 per person) per team, with space limited to 20 teams. Entry fee for the 5K is $25 per person until October 4, $30 until October 9 and $35 on race day, and registration will remain open until the start of the race. Online registration is available at https://furniturebankatlanta.org. 5k racers can register at Active.com
“We’re so happy to be back at Atlantic Station this year,” said Megan Anderson, executive director of The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta. “The Bed Race is a really wild event and almost as fun to watch as it is to race. The bottom line, though, is that this is a means to an end. Proceeds will directly support our mission of providing furniture to people in our community who are in need, something we’re one-hundred percent committed to.”
The Furniture Bank, in partnership with homeless shelters and other partner non-profits, is able to assist over 4,000 people, more than 1,000 families, every year. Funds raised will be used to help meet increased demand, specifically to cover the costs associated with picking up furniture donations and delivering furniture to clients.
Important event details to note are:
- Registration/Check-in begins: 6:30 a.m.
- 5K: 8 a.m.
- Parade of Beds: 9:10 a.m.
- Bed Race: 9:30 a.m.
To keep up with the latest information about The Furniture Bank and its upcoming events, please follow on Facebook at TheFurnitureBankofMetroAtlanta, Twitter at @furniturebnkatl and on Instagram @furniturebankatl.org.
About The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta
The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta was founded in 1988 in response to the lack of furniture resources for previously homeless people who secure housing. In 2014, more than 4,000 people were served. The Furniture Bank is the only agency in metro Atlanta whose mission is to provide free furniture to people in need. Clients transitioning out of homelessness, living with HIV/AIDS, and fleeing domestic violence often spend the majority of their resources on a security deposit and first month’s rent, leaving little or no money to purchase furniture. The Furniture Bank ensures these clients and each of their children have a bed to sleep on. Furnishings provided include a table for sharing meals and a couch for relaxing. A furnished home increases a sense of ownership and confidence, benefits physical health, and helps our clients maintain stable housing, which is key to breaking the cycle of homelessness. For more information, visit www.furniturebankatlanta.org.
# # #
