Walker helps families with houseful of furniture

Through its annual Home for the Holidays program, Walker Furniture donated a complete houseful of furniture for each family.

Larry Alterwitz, president of Walker Furniture, said Home for the Holidays is his company’s way of wishing a happy holiday season to all of Southern Nevada.

“It’s so gratifying for us to help people in need — especially this time of year,” Alterwitz said. “Furniture is our business — we live in this community — and we feel that it is important for us to give back to our community.

“Our recipients consist of families and individuals who barely have a place to live, let alone furniture, and in many cases they are having to sleep and even eat on the floor,” Alterwitz continued. “Getting new furniture is really going to make this holiday season special for them and we hope that our gesture will inspire others to lend help where it is needed. There are so many people out there who have legitimate need right now. We only wish we could help them all.”

Among this year’s recipients was Ronelle Kahuhu, a single mother of three who moved to Las Vegas from Hawaii about three years ago after the children’s father left them. Shortly after moving here, they found themselves homeless, living with friends and family in overcrowded apartments and sleeping on the floor.

During this time, Kahuhu worked at three jobs and attended classes to further her education. When her 2-year-old daughter was molested, they had to seek different living arrangements. Although they were able to qualify for subsidized housing, they do not have any extra money for furniture.

“Their spirits are high. Being the creative children they are, they gather boxes and use them as a makeshift eating area,” wrote the children’s grandmother, Georgiann Uncles, in her letter asking for help. “Anything new, used, dented, damaged or can be repaired would be greatly appreciated.”

Erica Malone, a victim of domestic violence, was given new furniture to fill the rooms of her home. She has three children, the youngest who is less than 3 months old, and lost her job when she was unable to find trustworthy and affordable care for her children.

According to Victoria Patterson, a friend who nominated Malone, the family was forced out of their home a few weeks ago after it was infested with bugs. They had to leave everything behind.

“With your help of providing this family with new furniture, I believe it will help Erica start to believe that there are such things as new beginnings, help change her outlook with her situation, create new memories for she and her children, and turn those sad frowns into fresh smiles,” she wrote.

The 20 families were selected after receiving nominations from members of the community describing their needs.

Walker has offered Home for the Holidays since 1994.