Monday, November 26, 2012

Twin-Star International Donates 31,400 Space Heaters to Aid Hurricane Sandy Victims

Delray Beach, Fla., Nov. 26, 2012 – Twin-Star International, a leading manufacturer of electric fireplaces and other functional furniture for the home, has donated a truckload of space heaters to two relief groups providing help to New York and New Jersey residents whose homes were severely damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

Twin-Star donated 5,000 Duraflame space heaters on Nov. 11 to Island Harvest, Long Island’s largest hunger relief organization. Island Harvest is distributing the space heaters to shelters and individuals most left in need within the storm-damaged metropolitan and oceanfront areas. “Twin-Star International is to be commended for their spirit of compassion and generosity in providing much needed assistance to those Long Islanders affected by superstorm Sandy,” said Rand Shubin Dresner, president and CEO, Island Harvest. “Many people continue to face adverse conditions, especially with falling temperatures, so Twin-Star’s gift of space heaters will help immeasurably.  Their generous gift is of great help and we offer our heartfelt appreciation.”

In addition, Twin-Star donated 26,400 Duraflame space heaters to The Salvation Army, a national charitable and relief organization with a major presence in New York and New Jersey.  “The Salvation Army is delivering the donated space heaters to hurricane survivors throughout the affected areas,” said Michael Orfitelli, Disaster Services Coordinator for The Salvation Army’s Eastern Territory. “The folks that were hit hardest by the hurricane are so grateful for this gift of warmth from Twin-Star,” said Orfitelli.  Thousands of heaters were distributed in Rockaway, Queens, where many families with children had been without heat since the hurricane.  “We’re making sure they are all taken care of,” he added.

In each case, Twin-Star donated a variety of small, portable space heaters with capacities up to 1,500 watts.
“Thousands of New York and New Jersey residents are struggling to stay warm as a result of damage inflicted by this devastating storm,” said Robert Cohen, CEO of Twin-Star. “Flooding has impacted residents’ ability to heat their homes and, in many cases, they have been forced to remain in shelters until power is restored.”  As a Florida-based corporation, Twin-Star understands the toll left in the wake of natural disasters and the challenges individuals face in the aftermath of those disasters.  “We want to do everything we can to help the people and their communities get through this very difficult situation,” noted Cohen.

About Twin-Star International
Twin-Star International is a leading manufacturer of electric fireplaces, bathroom furniture, media consoles, wine cabinets, heaters, infrared heaters and stoves within the brands of ClassicFlame, Chimney Free, Tresanti, Black & Decker, Duraflame and Luxe Bath Works. Twin-Star’s world headquarters is located in Delray Beach, Florida.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

About Island Harvest
Now in its 20th year, Island Harvest serves as the bridge between those with surplus food and those who need it, supplying nearly 570 community-based nonprofit organizations on Long Island with critical food and related support services to people in need and the general public to help stem the advancing tide of hunger in our communities.  For more information about Island Harvest, visit www.islandharvest.org.

If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Twin-Star International’s Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Brian Brigham, at 561.665.8093 or e-mail bbrigham@twinstarhome.com

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