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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Memory foam leader Tempur-Pedic said it donated more than 30,000 mattresses and foundations this year to 200 non-profit organizations, many of which support the military.
It also said that active duty military personnel, veterans and their families were the recipients of more than 3,000 Tempur-Pedic beds as part of what it described as the brand’s ongoing commitment “to delivering life-changing sleep to our nation’s heroes.”
“Men and women in the armed services, as well as their families, give so much to our country – including a peace of mind that allows all of us to sleep soundly at night,” said Scott Thompson, chairman, president and CEO at Tempur Sealy. “Our goal is to honor and support them by delivering great sleep throughout the year with the help of retailers and other organizations who share our pledge.”
Through an association with Darkhorse Benefits, Tempur Sealy will donate a Tempur-Pedic mattress to every member of the United States Special Operations Forces community as part of Operation Darkhorse – a multi-year pledge of more than 15,000 Tempur-Pedic mattresses that will go to individual special ops service members and their families. Since announcing the program in 2014, almost 4,000 mattresses have been delivered, including 2,300 in 2016 alone.
Retailer Mattress Firm, which has been a strong supporter of the Operation Darkhorse initiative, has donated box springs for each Operation Darkhorse mattress. The mattress sets have been donated to U.S. Army Green Berets and Rangers, U.S. Navy SEALS and Special Boat Teams,
U.S. Air Force Para-Rescuers and Combat Air Controllers and U.S. Marine Raiders and Force Recon troops.
With assistance from Troops Direct, the non-profit on-demand supply line for American units based anywhere in the world, Tempur Sealy was able to provide multiple shipments of mattress toppers to active-duty military and special operations forces. Hundreds of toppers, which provide a portable, soft surface to sleep on when in the field, were sent to troops located in remote regions.
“When our service men and women need something – no matter where they are in the world – Troops Direct is there,” said Aaron Negherbon, founder and executive director of Troops Direct.
In addition, Tempur-Pedic, the Official Mattress of the PGA Tour, worked closely with Operation Shower to recognize military moms for their service and sacrifices at a special baby shower prior to the PGA TOUR tournament in Boston in September. A raffle to award one lucky mom with a Tempur-Pedic themed shower turned into a comfy surprise for all 25 moms in attendance – they each were able to choose their very own Tempur-Pedic bed and also received a set of Tempur-Cloud pillows and a teddy bear for their new baby, officials said.
“Seeing these moms light up when they learned that a new Tempur-Pedic bed was on its way was priceless,” said Amy Belle Isle, chief creative officer at Operation Shower. “Having sponsors like Tempur-Pedic step up and show these families that they are appreciated and are supported during a very special time means a great deal and is such a special gift.”
As part of the brand’s ‘Sleeping on the Lead’ campaign with the PGA Tour, Tempur Sealy honored three military veterans living near tournament markets. Mark van Osdel of LeClaire, Iowa, Garrett Carnes of Burlington, N.C., and Murphy Hueston of Indianapolis each received a new Tempur-Pedic bed through the PGA Tour’s military outreach initiative, Birdies for the Brave .
Also, mattress retailer Sit ‘N Sleep teamed up with Tempur Sealy earlier this month to donate 2,000 mattresses and foundations to LA Family Housing, a Los Angeles-based organization that provides solutions to end homelessness in the region. The mattress donation, made in honor of Veterans Day and Homelessness Awareness Month, will be used at the LA Family Housing bridge housing facility and distributed to former homeless veterans and other families throughout Los Angeles.
