Simmons Bedding Company launched its Firehouse Recharge Atlanta initiative, a campaign to donate 275 beds to the 30 stations that comprise the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD). Firehouse Recharge Atlanta kicked off at Stations 25 and 30 in South Atlanta, where Simmons outfitted the stations’ sleeping quarters with a total of 16 new BEAUTYREST® mattresses. This initiative puts into motion the company’s donation intentions announced by Simmons President Tony Smith at the Atlanta Fire Foundation’s “Breakfast for the Brave” in November 2012.
"We’re honored to give back to our hometown firefighters who put their lives on the line to help protect our community each and every day,” said Mr. Smith. “We hope these new beds provide our firefighters with Recharging Sleep to help properly equip them for their hard work and serve as a reminder of our ongoing gratitude for their bravery.”
More than twenty firefighters from Stations 25 and Station 30 along with AFRD Chief Kelvin J. Cochran and AFRD Deputy Chief Michael Simmons, accepted the new mattresses on behalf of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. “These beds completely transform our stations’ sleeping quarters and will help our firefighters get the rest they need,” said Chief Simmons. “It’s really nice to know that a hometown company like Simmons appreciates the hard work our firefighters provide for the city of Atlanta.”
Beyond being the first to receive the new mattresses, having her station chosen as the initiative Kickoff location held special significance to Lt. Mary Parr, Station Chief of Station 25. “Our current mattresses are terrible - terrible! I’ve had to sleep in an armchair for months,” says Lt. Parr. After enduring months of pain and discomfort from sleeping on the station’s current mattresses, Lt. Parr has been steadfast in advocating for better quality mattresses for Atlanta fire fighters, thus putting the donation request to Simmons in motion. “As firefighters, we may only get a few minutes of sleep between calls - but those precious minutes are important! We’re so grateful to Simmons for giving us these new, comfortable beds that will give our hard-working firefighters those few restful moments.”
The donation is the first of 30 planned fire station bunkroom makeovers across Atlanta throughout the month of April. Each station will receive new Beautyrest® mattresses, featuring Beautyrest® Pocketed Coil® technology and proprietary AirCool® foams to provide the conforming back support and cool sleeping comfort needed for Recharging Sleep.
“Simmons has made a commitment to support the men and women who keep our communities safe, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to show them our appreciation,” said Mr. Smith. “If anyone deserves recharging sleep, it’s the AFRD firefighters.”
For more information, visit www.simmons.com.
About Simmons Bedding Company: Atlanta-based Simmons Bedding Company is one of the world's largest mattress producers and the maker of Beautyrest®. Simmons manufactures and markets a broad range of products including Beautyrest®, Beautyrest TruEnergy®, Beautyrest Black®, ComforPedic® from Beautyrest®, Natural Care® and BeautySleep®. Simmons operates 17 conventional bedding manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Simmons also serves as a key supplier of beds to many of the world's leading hotel groups and resort properties.
