WARREN, Mich., Dec. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when Detroit and its city officials are facing tough financial choices, Art Van Furniture is stepping up to help alleviate some of those difficult decisions by donating 150 twin mattresses to needy Detroit Fire Departments across the city. Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture, joined Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Detroit Fire Commissioner Don Austin on Christmas Eve Day to present 14 of the mattresses as an early holiday gift to the Detroit firefighters at Engine 50, Ladder 23, on Detroit's East Side.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121224/DE34331 )

"Art Van Elslander is one of our State's most generous philanthropists. We are so grateful and appreciative of this generous gift," said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.  "These mattresses and box springs will help our firefighters get the restful sleep they need between fire runs."

Art Van Furniture is donating to the firefighters through the Detroit Public Safety Foundation as part of Mayor Bing's Active and Safe Campaign. The delivery on Monday (12/24/12) of 14 bed sets (mattress/box springs) to Engine 50, Ladder 23, is part of the larger donation of 150 bed sets which will be delivered after the New Year's Day.

"The courageous firefighters of Detroit are true heroes in our city," said Art Van Elslander. "There is no better way for us to honor them than to bring some small measure of comfort to the place they call their home away from home."

Through the end of the year, Art Van Furniture will continue its first Wonderland event with fun-filled festivities for the whole family at its Warren and Grand Rapids stores. For more information, visit www.artvan.com/wonderland.

About Art Van Furniture

Art Van Furniture is Michigan's largest furniture retailer and America's largest independent furniture retailer. The company operates 34 stores throughout Michigan, a full service e-commerce website, plus six freestanding Art Van PureSleep bedding stores in Canton, Troy, Rochester Hills, Brighton, Ann Arbor and New Hudson, Michigan. Founded in 1959, the company is family-owned and headquartered in Warren, Michigan. Visit www.artvan.com for more information.

SOURCE Art Van Furniture