Braintree, MA, September 20, 2006 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently co-sponsored a child car seat safety check at its Braintree store.  Over 60 families had their car seats checked and correctly reinstalled by the state police.  Nine seats had to be replaced because they were too old or in bad condition.  According to the state police, 98 percent of all the child safety seats they inspect are installed incorrectly.  The event was co-sponsored by WCVB-TV/Channel 5, the Mass State Police Traffic Program Section, Babies ‘R’ Us, and the New England Toyota Dealers Association.  Shown here are Sgt. Michael A. Crosby of the Massachusetts State Police (left) and Bernie Rubin, co-founder and chairman of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture (right).

<back to top>

Norton, MA, July 31, 2006 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture co-founder and chairman Bernie Rubin and Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield recently filmed a series of public service announcements at the Home for Little Wanderers’ Boston Early Intervention (BEI) program in Brighton urging people to become involved in their community.  The Home for Little Wanderers is a favorite charity of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture and the Red Sox.  Pictured from left to right: Bernie Rubin, Tim Wakefield, and Lisa Rowan-Gillis, vice president for development and communications at the Home.

<back to top>

Braintree, MA, February 7, 2006 – New England Patriot Vince Wilfork will make a special appearance at Bernie & Phyl’s Braintree store at 180 Wood Road on Saturday, February 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to sign autographs and to talk about opportunities for people to become a child’s mentor. The event is part of a major public service campaign called “Be a Champion for a Child” that Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture launched last fall in conjunction with Vince Wilfork and the Mass Mentoring Partnership.

The “Be a Champion for a Child” program highlights the need for high-quality youth mentoring throughout Massachusetts. The campaign featured a series of television and radio spots starring Wilfork and Bernie Rubin, co-founder of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, encouraging more people to get involved with mentoring kids. Currently, there are thousands of children across the state in need of mentors. For every two kids matched with an adult, one remains on a mentoring program’s wait list.

“Mentoring has played a very important role both in my life and in Vince’s life,” said Bernie Rubin. “We hope a lot of people will come out to meet Vince and to talk to us about how he or she can make a difference in a kid’s life by becoming a mentor.”

For the past five years, Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture has sponsored the National Mentoring Month public service campaign for the Mass Mentoring Partnership. Last year, the Partnership presented the company with the first Champions of Mentoring Award for their long-standing support and commitment to mentoring kids.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, January 9, 2006 — New England Patriot Vince Wilfork recently taped a public service campaign with Bernie Rubin at the Bernie & Phyl’s store in Braintree to encourage adults to become mentors for children.  These spots will run during National Mentoring Month in January on Channel 7.  This is the second collaboration between Wilfork and Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture – a major mentoring promotion featuring the duo ran on WBCN this past fall.  Larry Rubin, Bernie Rubin, and Rob Rubin, from Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, are pictured with Vince Wilfork in the middle.

<back to top>

Braintree, MA, November 21, 2005 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture is sponsoring a toy drive in conjunction with WB Channel 56 to benefit needy children across the state. People can donate new unwrapped toys in their original packaging at Bernie & Phyl’s Braintree store from December 6 to 16. The toys will be distributed to local charitable organizations serving children, including the Department of Social Services Kids Fund, the Latin American Health Institute, and the South Boston Neighborhood House.

A special “family day” will also be held at the Braintree store on Saturday, December 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. People can come and meet the WB 56 “spokesphibian,” Michigan J. Frog, who will pose for photos and hand out prizes to everyone who donates a toy.

“This is the second year that we have held toy drives in all of our stores and we are thrilled to be able to help make the holidays a little happier for families in need,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and chairman of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.

<back to top>

Westboro, MA, November 21, 2005 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture is sponsoring a toy drive in conjunction with WB Channel 56 to benefit needy children across the state. People can donate new unwrapped toys in their original packaging at Bernie & Phyl’s Westboro store from December 6 to 16. The toys will be distributed to local charitable organizations serving children, including the Department of Social Services Kids Fund, the Latin American Health Institute, and the South Boston Neighborhood House.

“This is the second year that we have held toy drives in all of our stores and we are thrilled to be able to help make the holidays a little happier for families in need,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and chairman of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.

<back to top>

Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture Be A Champion for a Child Program
with World Champion Football Player Vince Wilfork

New England’s World Champion Nose Tackle Vince Wilfork has teamed up with Mass Mentoring Partnership, the state’s umbrella organization for youth mentoring, corporate sponsor Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, and WBCN Patriots Rock Radio Network to see that more of our young people are connected to caring adult mentors who will listen to them, stand by them and guide them.

Currently, for every two kids matched with an adult, one remains on a mentoring program’s wait list. It is imperative that more adults volunteer to mentor a child.

<back to top>

The CAC recently moved into new expanded space at the Boston Family Justice Center on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. The new furniture will help make this space a friendlier and more welcoming environment for the children who use it.

“Bernie & Phyl’s cares about families in our community – including families and children that are in trouble and need help. We’re pleased that our furniture will help ease a stressful time for the people who come to the Children’s Advocacy Center,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and chairman of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, September 16, 2005 – Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture is partnering with New England Patriot Vince Wilfork, WBCN, and the Mass Mentoring Partnership to encourage more people to get involved with mentoring kids. The company is sponsoring a major public service campaign called “Be a Champion for a Child,” which highlights the need for high-quality youth mentoring throughout Massachusetts. The spots star Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, and Patriot’s nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who explain that there are thousands of children across the state in need of mentors. Currently, for every two kids matched with an adult, one remains on a mentoring program’s wait list.

In addition to the radio spots, one successful mentor and mentee pair will attend each home game of the season as Vince’s “match of the game” and have their stories told on the radio that day. At the end of October, Vince and Bernie and Phyl will take part in two special events at Bernie & Phyl’s stores (dates and times to be announced later), during which people will be able to learn about the rewards of mentoring.

“Mentoring was really important in my life and we at Bernie & Phyl’s are very excited about teaming up with Vince Wilfork of the Patriots. We hope to achieve ‘a touchdown’ for kids throughout the state by attracting more people to become mentors,” said Bernie Rubin.

Each January for the past four years, Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture has sponsored the National Mentoring Month public service campaign for the Mass Mentoring Partnership. The Partnership recently awarded the company the first Champions of Mentoring Award for their long-standing support and commitment to mentoring kids.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, September 6, 2005 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture’s recent child car seat safety event at its Saugus store was a major success, with nearly a hundred families having their car seats checked and/or reinstalled by the state police. This was the third year that Bernie & Phyl’s has sponsored this event at its Saugus location.

According to the Massachusetts State Police, every day four children are killed in car crashes in this country and many more are seriously injured. A child who is properly restrained in a car seat reduces his risk of death and injury by 71 percent. Sadly, the state police find that 98 percent of all the child safety seats they inspect are installed incorrectly. In addition to installation problems, some car seats are too old to be safe. At the Bernie & Phyl’s event, the police technicians replaced several because of their age, including one that was 18 years old.

“This was a great way to help out the families in our community and remind everyone that lives are saved when everyone is buckled up properly,” said Bernie Rubin, chairman of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture. “We were happy to be co-sponsors and the hosts for this popular event.”

<back to top>

Saugus, MA, August 9, 2005 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture will host a child car seat safety event at its Saugus store at 901 Broadway on Friday, August 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. During this time, parents can have trained technicians check to see that their infant/child car seat is installed correctly and have it reinstalled if it is not. This event is being co-sponsored by WCVB-TV/Channel 5, the Mass State Police Traffic Program Section, and New England Toyota Dealers.

Restraining a child properly in a motor vehicle can literally mean the difference between life and death. Using a correctly installed car seat that is appropriate for the child’s weight and age can be the crucial difference in case of an accident.

“This is the third year we have held this car seat event at our Saugus store and it is always a big success,” said Bernie Rubin, chairman of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture. “Participating in the car seat safety check will help keep kids safe and remind parents that everyone needs to buckle up in the car.”

<back to top>

Raynham, MA, August 1, 2005 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture was recently thanked by Teen Challenge New England, of Brockton, MA, for donating nearly $1,000,000 worth of furniture to the organization over the past year and a half.  Teen Challenge sells the donated goods through its thrift store to help support youth and adults with life controlling addictions become established in society through mentoring, counseling, education, and job training.  Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s, were presented with a special award during a tour of the Teen Challenge thrift shop and facilities.  Pictured from left to right: Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, Nicole Mazzarella, manager of the thrift shop, and Richard Longo, program development director.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, June 21, 2005 — Bernie Rubin, co-founder and chairman of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, recently attended the company’s fifth annual American Red Cross Blood Drive.  The drive was held for the second time at Bernie & Phyl’s Raynham store.  Over 60 donors came to give blood.  Pictured from left to right: Bernie Rubin, co-founder and chairman of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, Laurie Teixeira, donor recruitment representative for the American Red Cross, blood donor Eugene Polanick, and Kathy Affsa, Red Cross technician.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, June 15, 2005 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently received the first Champions of Mentoring Award from Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) for their commitment to expanding high-quality youth mentoring throughout Massachusetts.  Bernie & Phyl’s has sponsored National Mentoring Month for the past four years, including funding MMP’s public service campaign.  Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, accepted the award at the first Annual Champions of Mentoring Breakfast, which was held at Fenway Park and co-hosted by the Boston Red Sox.  Pictured from left to right: Terry Francona, Manager of the Boston Red Sox; David Shapiro, Chief Executive Officer of Mass Mentoring Partnership; Phyllis and Bernie Rubin; Larry Rubin, President of Bernie & Phyl’s; and Rob Rubin, President of Merchandising and Marketing for Bernie & Phyl’s.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, July 14, 2005 — Bernie Rubin, a.k.a. Bernie from Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, recently spent an evening at Fenway Park with a group of children from the Home for Little Wanderers in Boston, as part of his sixth annual “Bernie’s Baseball Buddies” program.  Bernie arranged for the kids to get a tour of the park and meet Red Sox pitching ace Tim Wakefield, shown here autographing a ball for one of the kids.  Bernie and the kids hung out and ate peanuts, hot dogs, pizza, soda, and ice cream, and watched the Red Sox beat the Cincinnati Reds.

Photo credit: ©2005 Randy H. Goodman

<back to top>

Norton, MA, June 1, 2005 — Joan Wallace-Benjamin, President and CEO of The Home for Little Wanderers, presents Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, with some artwork as a token of appreciation for the company supplying furniture for one of the organization’s group homes.  The Rubins received the gift recently at the Home’s 15th annual “Voices & Visions” Art and Creative Writing Event, which was attended by 200 donors who raised $75,000 for The Home for Little Wanderers, New England’s oldest and largest child welfare agency.  Pictured from left to right: Joan Wallace-Benjamin, Phyllis and Bernie Rubin, and Jack Harrington, a Home for Little Wanderers board member.

<back to top>

 

Norton, MA, May 12, 2005 – Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture and Amesbury Chair Company recently donated a dining room table and eight chairs to the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston.  The hospital recently renovated a room in their mental health unit where families can meet with hospital staff to determine a course of treatment for their child.  The furniture was given to the hospital to make the space more welcoming and hospitable.  This is Bernie & Phyl’s second donation to the hospital.  Last fall, they donated ten rocker gliders that are currently in use throughout the facility.  Pictured from left to right: Mike Green, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Amesbury Chair Company; Larry Rubin, Chief Executive Officer of Bernie & Phyl’s; Rob Rubin, President of Merchandising and Marketing for Bernie & Phyl’s; and Ralph J. Buonopane, Ph.D., Program Director for the McLean-Franciscan Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, January 7, 2005 – Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently helped furnish a new group home for the Home for Little Wanderers. Bernie & Phyl’s, a long-time supporter of the Home for Little Wanderers, donated furniture for the living room, dining room, entertainment room, and bedrooms of the new home. The entire project was dubbed an “Extreme Makeover” by WCVB-TV Channel 5, which helped coordinate the project, because the site – an old convent in Roxbury, MA – had to be renovated in less than a month so that the kids could move in by Christmas. Hundreds of volunteers and other businesses joined Bernie & Phyl’s in donating goods and services to make the transformation a reality.

The project was close to the retailer’s heart because the children moving into the new group home are the same ones that have participated in the “Bernie’s Baseball Buddies” program for the past four years. Each year, the company hosts the kids at a special event and game at Fenway Park. The Home for Little Wanderers is New England’s largest child and family service agency, providing services to an estimated 10,000 children with over 25 programs each year.

“This was such a great project. And being able to help these kids in particular was very special to us. We know these kids and love them. Helping them make their new house a real home was an honor for us,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.

<back to top>

Westboro, MA, November 24, 2004 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture is co-sponsoring a toy drive with Boston’s WB Channel 56 at its Westboro store. From December 2–12, new unwrapped toys still in their original packaging may be donated at the store, which is located at 272 Turnpike Road. At the end of the drive, the toys will be distributed to organizations serving children in need across the state.

On Saturday, December 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, people can come and meet the WB 56 “spokesphibian,” Michigan J. Frog, who will pose for photos and hand out prizes to everyone who donates a toy.

“We are very happy to serve as a collection point for toys to be given to needy children,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture. “We welcome the chance to help the kids and help community families do something that will add to their own holiday experience by sharing with those less fortunate.”

<back to top>

Saugus, MA, November 19, 2004 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture just kicked off a major toy drive for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program at all of their large stores.  The Rubin family, which owns Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, (left to right, son Rob Rubin, daughter Michelle Pepé, Bernie Rubin, son Larry Rubin, and Phyllis Rubin are shown here with Sgt. Maj. Kip W. Carpenter), encourages other families to drop by the Saugus store sometime between November 22 and December 19 to bring a new unwrapped toy in its original packaging to contribute to the toy drive.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, November 14, 2004 - Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently donated all of the beds for Caritas Communities’ new affordable housing unit in Dorchester, MA.  The building will provide safe and affordable housing for 12 low-income individuals.  The project was a joint venture between Caritas Communities and the Vietnamese American Initiative for Development.

This is Bernie & Phyl’s second major donation of beds to Caritas Communities’ housing projects.  Last year, the retailer provided all of the beds for the Caritas 15-unit rooming house in Brookline, MA.  Caritas Communities is Greater Boston’s largest nonsectarian, nonprofit provider of affordable furnished rooms with rents based on income.

“This donation is one of our ways of giving back to our community,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.  “Boston is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.  Caritas provides safe and comfortable housing that working people can afford.  We are happy to be able to help them provide a nice living environment for people who otherwise can’t afford a place to live.”

<back to top>

Norton, MA, October 14, 2004 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently donated 10 much needed glider rockers to the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston.  Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, a long-time supporter of the hospital and the latest sports figure to star in a Bernie & Phyl’s commercial, was there to help with the special delivery.  Pictured standing from left to right, Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, who are holding one of the hospital’s young patients.  Seated in one of the new rockers is Tim Wakefield with another infant.

<back to top>

Boston, MA, August 2, 2004 — Bernie Rubin, a.k.a. Bernie from Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, recently spent an evening at Fenway Park with a group of children from the Home for Little Wanderers in Boston, as part of his fifth annual “Bernie’s Baseball Buddies” program.  Bernie arranged for the kids to get a tour of the park and meet the beloved Green Monster.  Bernie and the kids hung out and ate peanuts, hot dogs, pizza, soda, and ice cream while Pedro Martinez pitched a win for the Red Sox.

Photo credit: ©2004 Randy H. Goodman

<back to top>

Raynham, MA, July 13, 2004 — Bernie Rubin, co-founder of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, attended the company’s fourth annual American Red Cross blood drive.  The drive was held for the first time at Bernie & Phyl’s new Raynham store.  Nearly 50 donors came to give blood.  Pictured from left to right: Deb Beresford, Raynham store manager; Bernie Rubin, co-founder of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture; and Emma Bernier, a Red Cross staff member.  Donating blood is Buddy Martin, of Hudson, warehouse manager at Bernie & Phyl’s Raynham store.

<back to top>

Saugus, MA, July 13, 2004 — Bernie& Phyl’s Furniture recently co-sponsored a child car seat safety check at their Saugus store.  Nearly 100 families had their car seats checked and/or reinstalled by the state police to make sure that they were safe.  The event was co-sponsored with Channel 5.  Shown here, left to right, are Phyllis and Bernie Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, and state trooper Grant Moulaison.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, June 22, 2004 – Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, recently served with former Boston Red Sox player Mo Vaughn, center, as grand marshals for the 15th annual Hot Dog Safari.  The event is a fundraiser for the Joey Fund, which supports research and assistance for people with cystic fibrosis.  This year, over 50,000 people attended the family oriented activities.  After leading the parade, the Rubins judged the hot dog eating contest and chatted with members of the crowd to support the charity and enjoy the day.

<back to top>

Saugus, MA, May 3, 2004 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture will host a child car seat safety event at its Saugus store on Tuesday, May 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. During this time, parents can have trained technicians check to see that their infant/child car seat is installed correctly and have it reinstalled if it is not. This event is being co-sponsored by WCVB-TV/Channel 5.

Bernie and Phyllis (Phyl) Rubin, the founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, will be there in person to meet customers and talk about the importance of child car seat safety. Restraining a child properly in a motor vehicle can literally mean the difference between life and death. Current research shows that car crashes are the single largest cause of child fatalities. Using a correctly installed car seat that is appropriate for the child’s weight and age can be the crucial difference in case of an accident.

“We are happy to be able to sponsor and host this worthwhile family event,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture. “Participating in the car seat safety check will help keep kids safe and remind parents that everyone needs to buckle up in the car.”

<back to top>

Nashua, NH, April 20, 2004 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture will host a community service event for families at its Nashua store Saturday, May 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., during which parents can have their children videotaped, voice-recorded, and fingerprinted to aid law enforcement in case a child ever goes missing. This event is being co-sponsored by WBZ-TV and UPN 38 and KinderVision®. Participating families will be given a free video containing a special message that provides critical safety information for protecting children.

Bernie and Phyllis (Phyl) Rubin, the founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, will be there in person to meet customers and help local law enforcement officials implement the program.

KinderVision, founded in 1991, is a national organization dedicated to the prevention of child abduction through education. Its video is meant to be an ongoing resource for parents to teach their children how to be safe when they are not with them. The video demonstrates safety techniques and presents information in a way that small children can understand and carry out.

“We are happy to be able to sponsor and host this worthwhile family event,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture. “This is another important way for parents to be proactive in keeping their children safe.”

<back to top>

Worcester, MA, March 11, 2004 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently donated new bedroom furniture to the YWCA of Central Massachusetts Daybreak Shelter for battered women and children. Last year 13,500 people accessed the Daybreak Shelter’s services, including 100 women and children who found a safe haven at the confidential, emergency shelter.

Bernie & Phyl’s Friends In Need program donates furniture to many charitable organizations and homeless shelters across the state. The company regularly donates furniture to Goodwill and Teen Challenge New England and has given over $1,200,000 worth of furniture to these organizations since 2000. Additionally, the retailer has an ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity Boston and Nashua to help furnish all of the homes that they build.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, March 2, 2004 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently donated new sofas to furnish several living room areas at the Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center in Boston’s South End.  This is the second donation that Bernie & Phyl’s has made to the resident addiction treatment facility.  In April of 2000, the retailer launched its charitable Friends in Need program with a donation of 125 new Sealy mattresses to the Harbor Light Center.

Bernie & Phyl’s Friends In Need program donates furniture to many charitable organizations and homeless shelters across the state.  The company regularly donates furniture to Goodwill and Teen Challenge New England and has given over $1,200,000 worth of furniture to these organizations since 2000.  Additionally, the retailer has an ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity Boston and Nashua to help furnish all of the homes that they build.

Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture is one of the largest furniture retailers in New England.  Based in Norton, MA, the company has six Massachusetts stores in Cambridge, Everett, Raynham (55,000 s/f superstore), Saugus (50,000 s/f superstore), Westboro (50,000 s/f superstore), and Weymouth, and one New Hampshire store in Nashua (86,000 s/f superstore).  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture is among the top 100 furniture stores in the United States, according to Furniture/Today magazine.  The company was named the 2002 Retailer of the Year by the National Home Furnishings Association.

<back to top>

Brookline, MA, December 10, 2003 — Larry and Rob Rubin, who run Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture with their parents Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, recently participated in the dedication ceremonies of the Caritas Communities first affordable housing project in Brookline, MA.  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture donated all of the new beds for the 15 unit rooming house.  Caritas Communities is Greater Boston’s largest nonsectarian, nonprofit provider of affordable furnished rooms with rents based on income.  Shown here at the dedication ceremonies, from left to right, are Larry Rubin, Rob Rubin, and Mark Winkeller, executive director of Caritas Communities.

<back to top>

Raynham, MA, November 5, 2003 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently hosted an educational outreach event for families on how to use the Internet safely at its new Raynham store.  The event was co-sponsored by FOX 25 television and I-Safe, a national Internet safety education foundation.  Shown here, left to right, are Patrick Schoenecker, community outreach manager for I-Safe, Maria Stephanos, FOX 25 anchor, Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, and Kevin Lemanowicz, FOX 25 meteorologist.

<back to top>

Raynham, MA, October 7, 2003 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture will host an educational outreach event for families on how to use the Internet safely at its new Raynham store on Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  This event is being co-sponsored by FOX 25 television and I-Safe, a national Internet safety education foundation.

Bernie and Phyllis (Phyl) Rubin will be there in person to join with local political and law enforcement officials and FOX 25 personalities, including anchor Maria Stephanos, to teach parents and kids techniques for achieving a safer online experience.

For parents, there will be an education table with an interactive presentation and informational materials.  For children, student mentors will staff a booth to encourage other youth to become more familiar with Internet safety and to share this knowledge with their school and community.

“We are happy to have the space to host this worthwhile family event,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.  “The Internet offers many wonderful opportunities, as well as dangers, for parents and kids, and it’s important for families to learn how to stay safe.”

Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture is the largest independent furniture retailer in Massachusetts.  Based in Norton, MA, the company has six Massachusetts stores in Cambridge, Everett, Raynham (55,000 square foot superstore), Saugus (50,000 square foot superstore), Westboro (50,000 square foot superstore), and Weymouth, and one New Hampshire store in Nashua (86,000 square foot superstore).  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture is among the top 100 furniture stores in the Unites States, according to Furniture/Today magazine.  The company was named the 2002 Retailer of the Year by the National Home Furnishings Association.

<back to top>

Newton, MA, October 2, 2003 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, the largest privately owned furniture retailer in Massachusetts, today announced that it helped furnish the new Newton Wellness Center, which recently opened at 1039 Chestnut Street, Newton. Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture donated club chairs to the Center, which offers programs in a home-like setting to people with cancer, and to their family and friends.

Bernie & Phyl’s “Friends In Need” program donates furniture to many charitable organizations and homeless shelters across the state. The company regularly donates furniture to Goodwill and Teen Challenge New England and has given over $1,000,000 worth of furniture to these organizations since 2000. Additionally, the retailer has an ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity Boston and Nashua to help furnish all of the homes that they build.

“The Newton Wellness Center is doing very important work in the community to help cancer patients and their families cope with the many stresses they face,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture. “We were happy to be able to help make the new center a warm, inviting and comfortable place.”

<back to top>

Norton, MA, August 28, 2003 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture was recently thanked by Teen Challenge New England, of Brockton, for donating nearly $800,000 worth of furniture to the organization over the past three years.  Teen Challenge sells the donated goods through its thrift store to help support youth and adults with life controlling addictions become established in society through mentoring, counseling, education and job training. 

Teen Challenge, which also runs a catering business used for vocational training purposes, prepared a luncheon for over 100 employees at Bernie & Phyl’s Norton headquarters, where Richard Longo, Teen Challenge catering coordinator (second left), presented a plaque to Bernie Rubin, Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture’s founder (center).  Norton employees Elizabeth Xavier (far left) and Diane Fitzgerald and Bob Pepe (right) looked on.

<back to top>

Through Bernie & Phyl’s ongoing relationship with the Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity, the company recently furnished – from top-to-bottom ­– a three bedroom house on Fowell Avenue in South Nashua that the organization spent two years planning and building. The new homeowner received a new living room, dining room, master bedroom, and youth bedroom furniture from Bernie & Phyl’s. Volunteers from Bernie & Phyl’s also participated in the construction of the home. Bernie & Phyl’s has been involved with Habitat for Humanity in Nashua, NH and Boston, MA for four years and has committed to helping furnish all of the homes they build for low income families.

A second donation was made to the Farmsteads of New England in Hillsborough, NH to help furnish their house for mentally handicapped young adults. Bernie & Phyl’s provided new furniture for the house’s main living area, which had no furniture. Farmsteads of New England supports the vocational, residential, and recreational needs of people who have developmental disabilities.

A curio cabinet was also donated to the Wilkins Elementary School in Amherst, NH to create a more welcoming and inviting entrance to the school. Bernie & Phyl’s made the donation after receiving letters from a class of third graders at the school who were working on a community service project to improve the appearance of their school. Bernie & Phyl’s was the only company that responded to their request for a furniture donation.“Our company is very excited to be a part of the Nashua community and we take our responsibility to give back to those in need very seriously,” said Bernie Rubin, president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.

<back to top>

Nashua, NH, July 13, 2004 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently co-sponsored a child safety event for families at their Nashua store during which parents could have their children videotaped, voice-recorded, and fingerprinted to aid law enforcement if a child goes missing.  Participating families also received a free video that demonstrates safety techniques.  The event was co-sponsored with Channels 4 and 38 and KinderVision^®, a national child safety education organization.  Shown here, left to right, are Kindi Bear, the KinderVision mascot, Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, and Nancy Northrup, an event manager for KinderVision.

<back to top>

Westboro, MA, July 7, 2003 — Bernie Rubin, founder of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, was all smiles at the company’s third annual American Red Cross blood drive.  The drive, which was held at Bernie & Phyl’s Westboro store, was so successful - over 100 people came to donate blood - that volunteers stayed nearly two hours late and still had to turn people away.  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture hosts Red Cross blood drives at its retail stores every year.  Pictured from left to right: Jamie Roco, Westboro store manager; Laurel Blair, volunteer coordinator for the American Red Cross; Bernie Rubin, founder of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture; and Cliff Watts, a blood donor from Westboro.

<back to top>

Boston, MA, July 2003 — Bernie Rubin, a.k.a. Bernie from Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, recently spent a night at Fenway Park with children from the Home for Little Wanderers in Boston, as part of his annual “Bernie’s Baseball Buddies” program.  Bernie arranged for the kids to meet Red Sox pitcher Mike Timlin, who is shown here autographing their balls with Bernie; to get a private tour of the park; and to have an endless supply of pizza, hot dogs, peanuts, soda, and cotton candy.

Photo credit: © 2003 Randy H. Goodman

<back to top>

Norton, MA, May 2003 — Are you ready for the real world?  This was the question Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently asked 200 Brockton High School seniors at the fifth annual Massachusetts Credit for Life Fair, hosted by the Brockton Housing Partnership, at Massasoit Community College.   

This is the third year that volunteers from Bernie & Phyl’s have participated in the event, which is designed to help high school students learn basic financial management skills.  Pictured from left to right: David O’Neil and Linda Swanton, sales associates at Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture in Saugus; Beverly Somerville, from Dedham Savings; John McManus, office manager at Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture in Westboro; Andrew Dunham, sales associate at Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture in Westboro; and Stephen Williams, delivery coordinator at Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture in Norton.

<back to top>

Boston, MA, May, 2003 — Bernie and Phyllis Rubin (a.k.a Bernie and Phyl) of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently helped dedicate three newly completed Habitat for Humanity homes on Fairland Street in Roxbury, MA. The three new homeowners received free furniture from Bernie & Phyl’s for their first homes. Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture has an ongoing relations hip with Habitat for Humanity to help furnish all of the houses the organization builds in the Greater Boston and Nashua areas. Joining Bernie and Phyllis Rubin (pictured in the center row) are Habitat for Humanity families (from left to right): Kaysha Ross, Marc Fields and Trena Melton, and Maima Sillah.

<back to top>

Nashua, NH, March 24, 2003 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, one of the largest furniture retailers in New England, has donated $12,000 worth of furniture to Goodwill Industries of the Merrimack Valley. The furniture will be used to support Goodwill’s job training programs throughout the Merrimack Valley area. Bernie & Phyl’s recently donated new furniture to the Greater Nashua Visitation Center and the Young Adult Program of the Community Council of Nashua. The donations were made to celebrate the grand opening of the retailer’s new superstore in Nashua.

Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture’s “Friends In Need” program donates furniture on an ongoing basis to charitable organizations in need in all of the areas where the company has stores. The retailer regularly donates furniture to Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in Boston and has given that organization over $300,000 in furniture donations since 2000. Bernie & Phyl’s also has an ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity to help furnish all of the houses they build in Boston and Nashua. They have committed to furnishing from top-to-bottom the house that Habitat for Humanity Nashua is currently building on Fowell Avenue, which should be completed later this year.

“We are excited to be expanding our donation program throughout New Hampshire. Through Goodwill, we are now able to touch even more people in need in Massachusetts and New Hampshire,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, March 3, 2003 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, the largest privately owned furniture retailer in Massachusetts, today announced that its “Friends In Need” program has donated two sets of living room furniture to the Friendly House Shelter in Worcester. The new furniture is part of a major renovation project that is being coordinated by a group of local volunteers called “Friends of the Friendly House.” The Friendly House is a temporary shelter for homeless single parents and families and can house up to 40 people (about 13 to 14 families) at a time, and has the only handicapped-access shelter room in Worcester.

Bernie & Phyl’s “Friends In Need” program donates furniture to many charitable organizations

and homeless shelters in need across the state. Bernie & Phyl’s also has an ongoing relationship with Goodwill to donate furniture on a regular basis and has given over $300,000 worth of furniture to that organization since 2000. Additionally, the retailer has a long-term relationship with Habitat for Humanity Boston and Nashua to help furnish all of the homes they build for low-income families.

“The Friends of the Friendly House came to us after being turned down by every other furniture store in the area and we just couldn’t say no,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture. “Their generosity and commitment to helping those in need is very inspiring and we were happy to be a part of this ambitious project.”

<back to top>

Nashua, NH, February 2003 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently donated two rooms of furniture to the Greater Nashua Visitation Center and the Young Adult Program (YAP) of the Community Council of Nashua.  The Visitation Center provides a safe, neutral environment for children who have come from a home with domestic violence to visit with a non-custodial parent.  The YAP program provides mental health services for adolescents.  The donation was made to celebrate the grand opening of Bernie & Phyl’s new superstore in Nashua.  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture’s “Friends In Need” program donates furniture on an ongoing basis to charitable organizations in need in all of the areas where the company has stores.  Pictured from left to right: Francine Gagne, Young Adult Program Coordinator; Phyllis and Bernie Rubin, Founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture; and Susan Bradbury, Visitation Center Coordinator.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, January 10, 2003 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, the largest privately owned furniture retailer in Massachusetts, has announced that it has donated $55,000 worth of furniture to Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries.  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture regularly donates furniture to Goodwill and has given the organization over $300,000 in furniture donations since 2000.  The donated merchandise is used to support Goodwill’s many workforce development, youth, and community programs which serve thousands of people in Massachusetts. 

The donation is part of Bernie & Phyl’s “Friends In Need” program, which was launched in April 2000 with the goal of donating furniture to charitable organizations and homeless shelters in need across the state.  The program has made numerous donations large and small, including helping furnish the houses that Habitat for Humanity Boston built in 2001 and 2002.  Other charitable organizations that Bernie & Phyl’s has made major donations to include The Salvation Army, Pine Street Inn, Brockton Teen Challenge, and the Greater Nashua Visitation Center.

“It is our goal to touch as many people as we can through our Friends In Need program.  Through Goodwill, we are able to reach many people in need on many levels,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, July, 2002 — Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, offered support and encouragement to donors at a recent blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross and Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.  The drive, which was held at Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture’s Westboro store, brought in over 50 people to donate blood and was a huge success.  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture plans to continue its support of the Red Cross on an ongoing basis with additional blood drives at its retail stores.

<back to top>

Boston, MA, July 2002 — Bernie and Phyllis Rubin (a.k.a Bernie and Phyl) and their sons, all of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, recently delivered free furniture to four needy Habitat for Humanity families moving into their new homes on Woodville Street in Roxbury.  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture has an ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity to help furnish all of the houses the organization builds in the Greater Boston and Nashua areas.  From left to right, Bob Pepe (son-in-law), Phyllis Rubin, Bernie Rubin, Larry Rubin (son), and Rob Rubin (son).

<back to top>

Boston, MA, June 2002 — Big smiles all around as Bernie Rubin, a.k.a. Bernie from Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture (right), and children from the Home For Little Wanderers in Boston, get their baseballs autographed by veteran Red Sox pitcher, Tim Wakefield.  As part of his annual “Bernie’s Baseball Buddies” program, Bernie recently took a group of underprivileged kids to see a baseball game at Fenway Park.  Bernie, a die-hard Red Sox fan, arranged for the kids to meet Tim Wakefield; to get a private tour of the park; to watch batting practice before the gates opened; and to have an endless supply of pizza, hot dogs, peanuts, ice cream, and more.

Photo credit: © 2002 Randy H. Goodman

<back to top>

 Saugus, MA, May 2002 — Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture in Saugus recently hosted the kick-off event of Ford’s Boost America! campaign in Massachusetts, in cooperation with the Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, and Fox 25.  Fifty technicians from local and state police forces volunteered their time and expertise to check car seat safety in over 150 vehicles.  Over 100 booster seats were given to needy families and installed correctly by volunteer technicians.  The Boost America! program is giving away up to one million booster seats nationally to families in need.  Pictured left to right: Jeff Hayward, vice president public policy at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay; Nancy J. Luther, executive director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau; J.C. Collins, Jr., executive assistant/dealer relations manager at Ford; Phyllis and Bernie Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture; and Larry, the crash test dummy.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, April 26, 2002 — A crew of 20 employees from Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture recently spent a day helping build a four unit condo for Habitat for Humanity Boston that the company will provide free furniture for when it is complete.  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture has an ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity to help furnish all of the houses the organization builds.  Pictured from left to right: Peter Markunas, store manager of Saugus; Phyllis Rubin, co-founder of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture; Nick Perryclear, general manager of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture; Bernie Rubin, co-founder of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture; and Jamie Roco, store manager of Westboro.

<back to top>

December 12, 2001 — But, where’s the furniture?  Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, co-founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, recently served as celebrity judges for the Boston Habitat for Humanity’s annual Home for the Holidays gingerbread house competition.  The event, which was held at the Millennium Bostonian Hotel, raises money for the organization to use for building low-cost housing for needy families.  Over 20 companies sponsored the gingerbread houses and awards were given for best overall, most calories, best holiday spirit, and most creative.  Bernie and Phyl are strong supporters of the Habitat for Humanity program and have forged an alliance with the organization to furnish the houses they build on an ongoing basis.  No wonder Bernie wanted to know “where the furniture was.”

<back to top>

Westboro, MA, July 9, 2001 — With Bernie by her side, Phyllis Rubin, a.k.a. Phyl, from Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, gave her support and blood at a recent blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross and Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture.  The drive, which was held at Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture’s Westboro store, brought in over 50 people to donate blood and was a huge success.  Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture plans to continue its support of the Red Cross on an ongoing basis with additional blood drives at its retail stores.

<back to top>

Boston, MA, June 14, 2001 — The inimitable Bernie Rubin, a.k.a. Bernie from Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, (pictured in the center), recently took 25 kids from the Home For Little Wanderers in Boston (a few of whom are pictured here) to see their first baseball game.  Bernie, an avid Red Sox fan, arranged for the kids to meet some of the Red Sox including ace left fielder Dante Bichette (pictured in front); to get a private tour of the park; to watch batting practice before the gates opened; and to have an endless supply of pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, and more.  Every year, Bernie takes a group of needy children to see a Red Sox game as part of his “Bernie’s Baseball Buddies” program, which was launched last year.

Photo credit: © 2001 Randy H. Goodman

<back to top>

Bernie & Phyl’s Friends In Need program was launched in April 2000 with the goal of donating furniture to charitable organizations and homeless shelters in need across the state. The program has since made numerous donations large and small. These include giving 125 new Sealy mattresses to The Salvation Army to replace all of the old, worn-out beds at the organization’s Harbor Light Center in Boston and donating a truckload of sofas, chairs, tables, and bedroom furniture to Pine Street Inn for their 14 lodging houses which were in dire need of new furnishings.

“It is our goal to touch as many people as we can through our Friends In Need program. Through Goodwill, we are going to be able to reach even more people in need,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture. “This is a total win-win situation. Our donation helps generate jobs for people with disabilities, creates revenue for Goodwill’s many exemplary programs, provides Goodwill with goods to give to needy community-based organizations, and makes furniture available to many of our state’s working poor who may never have been able to afford it before. We are very excited about working with Goodwill, and know that we can really make a difference in many people’s lives through this collaboration.”

Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture will continue to make furniture donations to individual charitable organizations and homeless shelters, in addition to its ongoing contributions to Goodwill. The donations to Goodwill will be part of the organization’s “Inventory Express Program,” which has formed relationships with several major retailers in the state that have agreed to regularly donate merchandise to Goodwill.

“This donation, and our new relationship with Bernie and Phyl’s will be a tremendous benefit to the people Goodwill serves throughout eastern and central Massachusetts. We are very thankful to Bernie and Phyl’s for their generous support,” said Joanne Hilferty, president and CEO of Goodwill. “Goodwill’s Inventory Express Program gives every company an opportunity to provide a valuable community service, helping Goodwill provide not charity, but a chance.”

Goodwill’s mission is to provide exemplary job training and related services to help individuals with disabilities and other barriers to self-sufficiency to achieve independence and dignity through work. Not charity, but a chance.

<back to top>

Norton, MA, October 3, 2000 — Why such big smiles?  Bernie and Phyllis Rubin, founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture (left), and Joanne Hilferty, president & CEO of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries (right), celebrate the donation of $250,000 worth of furniture from Bernie & Phyl’s “Friends In Need” program, which donates furniture to charitable organizations and homeless shelters across the state.  The donation kicks off a newly formed relationship that Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture has forged with Goodwill to donate furniture on an ongoing basis to the organization.  Donated merchandise will be used to support Goodwill’s many workforce development, youth, and community programs which serve thousands of people in Massachusetts.

<back to top>

Peabody, MA, July 17, 2000 — Fire fighters at the South Peabody Fire Station, Engine 5, can now take a break on their new couch, thanks to the Bernie & Phyl’s “Friends In Need” program. The Friends In Need program, which donates furniture to homeless shelters and other charitable organizations across the state, recently gave the fire station its new couch.

“We were in desperate need of a couch. We had one donated three years ago, but as you can imagine, with the wear and tear of three grown men around the clock it was falling apart. We finally had to throw it out,” said Joseph P. DiFranco, Jr., president of the Peabody Local 925. “The town does not buy furniture for us. Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture really saved the day and we truly appreciate their generosity.”

The Friends In Need program recently made several major furniture donations to the Salvation Army, Pine Street Inn, and the Cambridge YWCA Family Shelter Program. The Salvation Army received 125 new Sealy mattresses, valued at over $20,000, to replace all of the old, worn-out beds at the organization’s Harbor Light Center in Boston’s South End. Pine Street Inn, the largest provider of services for homeless and formerly homeless people in New England, was given a truckload of sofas, chairs, tables, and bedroom furniture for their 14 lodging houses. The Cambridge YWCA Family Shelter Program received new living room furniture for the shelter’s family room to replace couches and chairs that were over ten years old and in terrible condition. “We are a family business and we take great pride in how we take care of our customers, our employees, and our community. Through our Friends In Need program, we are able to give back to the communities that have given us so much,” said Bernie Rubin, co-founder and president of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture. “Fire fighters work hard everyday saving the people and buildings in their communities, and it is our honor to be able to help them.”

<back to top>

Boston, MA, June 8, 2000 — The inimitable Bernie Rubin, a.k.a. Bernie from Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, (pictured in the center), recently took a group of kids from the Home For Little Wanderers in Boston (some of whom are pictured here) to see their first baseball game.  Bernie, an avid Red Sox fan, arranged for the kids to get a private tour of the park, to watch batting practice before the gates opened, and to meet some of the Red Sox including Manager Jimy Williams and Wendell Kim, the team’s Third Base Coach (pictured in front).  Every year, Bernie plans to take a group of needy children to see a Red Sox game as part of his “Bernie’s Baseball Buddies” program, which was launched with this first outing.  Lots of fun was had by all – even if it was sometimes hard to tell the big kid from the little kids!

Photo credit: © 2000 Randy H. Goodman

<back to top>

Norton, MA, April 27, 2000 — Phyllis and Bernie Rubin (pictured from left to right), a.k.a. Bernie & Phyl, founders of Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, are thanked by Captain John Ducksworth, South End Area Coordinator for The Salvation Army for their donation of 125 new Sealy mattresses worth over $20,000.  The mattresses will replace all of the old, worn-out beds at The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center, a resident addiction treatment facility in Boston’s South End.  The donation kicked off the launch of Bernie & Phyl’s “Friends In Need Foundation,” which will donate furniture to homeless shelters and other charitable organizations on an ongoing basis across the state.