The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) has received a generous donation from the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. The landmark hotel is gifting more than 22,000 pieces of gently-used room furnishings as it begins a $30 million renovation to transform 1,329 guest rooms and 100,000 square feet of meeting space.
One of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, Marriott International announced plans to renovate its 71-floor Detroit hotel in August 2013. The massive makeover reflects the Marriott’s effort to connect with the next generation’s travel style, blending work and play in a mobile and global world.
“We’re committed to supporting Detroit area charities and continually look for innovative ways to give back,” said Shonda Johnson, Area General Manager of the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. “This particular donation is true kismet; we need to dispense with more than 1,300 rooms of still very usable, high-quality furniture, and the Salvation Army is able to repurpose it to help Detroit area families in need.”
Over 22,000 pieces will be handed over to ARC for storage and distribution at the nonprofit’s 34 metro Detroit family thrift stores. The transfer of goods will happen in phases within a one-year time frame. The ARC expects to receive all wooden furniture including tables, desks, night stands and dressers; upholstered chairs and headboards; as well as lamps, mirrors, wall hangings, and linens/bedsets.
“This is the largest furniture donation The Salvation Army has received in Michigan to-date, and we’re so grateful to the Marriott for their kindness,” said Merle Miller, administrator of The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center. “Not only will their generosity help keep our stores filled, the sale of the donated items will help us to continue supporting our free 180-day adult rehabilitation programs for men and women.”
The ARC, which operates the nonprofit’s family thrift stores, also manages two adult rehabilitation centers in southeast Michigan, including a men’s facility in Detroit and women’s facility in Romulus. Completely self-funded, the ARC draws the entire operating budget of its rehabilitation centers from the revenue of its 34 metro Detroit thrift stores.
“We’re excited to partner with a business, like the Marriott, that shares our same value and commitment to the community,” said Miller.
For more information regarding the ARC, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and their partnership, visit the institutions online at www.salarmythrift.com and www.detroitmarriott.com.
About The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center
Founded by William Booth in London, England, in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. The ARC is an integral part of TSA’s mission, and offers substance-abusing adults the opportunity to rebuild their lives through a voluntary, short-term residential self-help program designed to establish a sense of dignity, self-esteem and personal strength that will allow them to resist the desire to abuse a substance and regain their rightful place as contributing members of society. Completely self-funded, the ARC draws its entire operating budget from the revenue of the 34 Salvation Army Thrift Stores located in Southeast Michigan. For more information visit www.salarmythrift.com or call 313.965.7760.
About the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center is located on the riverfront in the heart of downtown Detroit. The hotel’s guest rooms offer some of the most spectacular views of Detroit with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline, the Detroit River and Canada. The property has 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space to accommodate up to 2,200 guests. The hotel is within the General Motors Renaissance Center complex, 25 minutes from Detroit Metro Airport and five minutes from Windsor, Ontario.
For more information or reservations, call Marriott at 1-800-352-0831, or visit www.detroitmarriott.com.
