Gallery Furniture Grants Christmas Wish with Furniture Giveaway for Dobie Family
Posted on 12/19/2013
Gallery Furniture Houston partnered with the Pasadena ISD family to surprise one Dobie High School family with a truckload of furniture on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Some of the greatest gifts are the ones that keep on giving, like love, support, and being in the presence of family and friends during the Holidays. Thanks to a partnership between Gallery Furniture Houston and the Pasadena ISD family, Santa was able to deliver these gifts and more to one Dobie High School family just in time for the Christmas break.
Nikki Bell and her family were among 30 Houston area residents selected for the Gallery Furniture’s 30th Annual Christmas Giveaway, which grants deserving residents with enough furniture to fill an entire house.
The donation was a local community effort, facilitated by Lindsay Freeman, a family friend and Homebound Teacher for Pasadena ISD, who submitted a letter asking Gallery Furniture to grant the family this one Christmas wish.
“I pretty much put all my Christmas shopping on hold to make this happen, and it was worth it,” Freeman said. “This is way more fun than doing my own Christmas shopping – getting to surprise them and help out has been a life-changing experience. They deserve it.”
At first, Bell had no idea that her Tuesday afternoon would be loaded with a joyful surprise. But Freeman cleverly lured her to a local A-1 Storage facility, under the pretense that she would be picking out used furniture from a friend of Freeman’s. Little did Bell know, nearly 50 of her closest friends, family and colleagues would be awaiting her arrival, ready to surprise her.
As she made her way through the center of the storage facility, a cheery group popped out of hiding, and marched toward the family singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Bell, overwhelmed with excitement, shed tears of joy during the reunion, as a Gallery Furniture representative presented her with a truck full of her new furniture.
“I can’t believe this,” she said in between sobs, as she stared at the crowd, gently wiping tears from her eyes. “I can’t believe you guys did all this. I love you guys.”
The store received about 5,000 letters and e-mails nominating families and individuals for the giveaway. But Georgia Ann Spears, Gallery Furniture Houston representative, said Bell and her family were one of the most deserving.
“She received a lot of support from her family and friends, who sent in letters asking us to provide her with this gift,” Spears said. “You can tell from the out-turn that she is truly loved. We at Gallery Furniture appreciate all the help from the community and customers, and we were glad to provide her with this Christmas gift.”
Dobie High Principal Franklin Moses also shared in the touching moment, along with all of Bell's co-workers who raised about $14,000 to benefit the family.
It was a Christmas miracle.
“I’m just really happy,” Bell said. “I’m thankful that I have a lot of good family and friends.”
Nikki Bell learns from the Gallery Furniture representative that she has been selected as one of this year's Christmas Giveaway winners.
Nikki Bell takes a picture with her family.
The whole group stopped for a photo in front of the Gallery Furniture truck.
Pictured (from left): Nikki Bell and Lindsay Freeman with Bell's grandchild.