April 2025 Furniture Bank Newsletter
Flip it to win it: The Furniture Bank’s Furniture Flip Challenge!
Are you creative? Hate to see things go to waste? Love a good challenge? Oh, and do you like money? If you answered yes to any of these, buckle up because we have the perfect event for you! The Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit is launching an exciting new fundraiser that checks all the boxes—community involvement, environmental impact, creativity, and cold, hard cash.
Here’s the deal: We’ve been collecting unique, unwanted furniture that was headed straight for the landfill. But instead of letting these pieces go to waste, we want YOU to give them a second life! Come pick out a piece, work your magic, and transform it into something amazing. Then, enter our challenge for a shot at the grand prize—$5,000!
This is more than just a contest. It’s a way to support a great cause, showcase your skills, and prove that old furniture still has value. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, an artist, a woodworker, or just someone who loves a good flip, this challenge is for you.
We don’t want to spoil all the surprises just yet but mark your calendars—full contest details will drop next month! Stay tuned, start brainstorming, and get ready to flip it to win it! Are you up for the challenge?
The Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit welcomes WDIV anchor Kimberly Gill to its Board of Directors!
Gill, a respected television broadcast journalist brings a wealth of experience in media, leadership, and philanthropy to the organization’s mission of providing essential furniture and mattresses to families in need.
“A safe and comfortable home environment is fundamental to a family’s well-being and I’m looking forward to helping shine the light on organization’s effort to provide dignity and stability to those in need.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Kimberly to our board,” said David Zick, Board Chair. “Her leadership, media expertise, and commitment to community service will be invaluable as we continue to expand our reach and impact across Metro Detroit.”
Little known fact:
Kimberly paid her way through college by driving 18-wheelers for FedEx. She says she keeps her Class A commercial truck driver’s license current just in case the TV gig doesn’t work out!
Nicole Powell: A Journey from Darkness to Light
For seven long years, Nicole Powell of Macomb County lived in the shadow of an abusive relationship.
“It was a world where fear was constant, hope was fleeting, and every day felt like an uphill battle with no escape in sight,” said Nicole. “The isolation was suffocating—my family pushed away, friends drifting into silence, and no resources to turn to.”
To the outside world, she was misunderstood. People assumed she was struggling with addiction, but they couldn’t see the true battle raging behind closed doors.
Nicole wanted to reach out, to scream for help, but when you’re drowning in that kind of pain, reaching out feels impossible. The cycles of control, manipulation, and survival kept her trapped until one day, she found herself and young son at MCREST (Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team), a refuge for women and children with nowhere else to go. It was there that she began to rebuild—not just her life, but her sense of self-worth, her strength, and her belief in a future beyond the pain.
Her journey didn’t come without its battles. She faced challenges with CPS, a system that, though daunting, ultimately became a bridge to stability for both her and her child. The road to healing was not just about breaking free from her past but about ensuring a better future for her seven-year-old son.
One of the most life-changing moments came when she connected with the Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit. “I no longer had an empty apartment with a single chair; became a home filled with beds, dressers, nightstands, sofa and a dining table. It turned my barren space into a sanctuary.”
For the first time in a long time, she cried, but they weren’t tears of sorrow. They were tears of overwhelming gratitude. She looked around at the home she never thought she’d have, a home filled with love, stability, and the simple joys of a furnished space. “Today wasn’t just another day; it was the beginning of something new. I wasn’t just closing a chapter, I was closing an entire book, ready to start fresh with a brand-new one.”
“I can’t express how truly grateful I am to those who donated their furniture. It may be just a chair to you or just a table, for me, it’s home!”
Fun Fact:
Did you know we offer premium pick-up services? For a modest fee, we remove those bulky items for you such as:
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Treadmills
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Entertainment Centers
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China Cabinets
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Headboards/Footboards
Did You Know?
The Furniture Bank diverts 300 tons of waste from landfills each year!