By Staff
MODEL' FURNITURE Carrie Ponder, executive director of Hope for Children, and Allen Boyd of The Mitchell Companies pull a toy box from one of the boxes donated by Kathy Ireland. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star.
By Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
Aug. 8, 2001
Most people don't expect much in return when they take a friend to lunch. Then again, most people don't eat lunch on a regular basis with million-dollar actresses.
Sela Ward and Hope for Children received a truck-load of children's furniture Tuesday all donated by actress-model Kathy Ireland. The gift included Ireland's own furniture line, the Kathy Ireland Home Collection.
Carrie Ponder, executive director of the Hope for Children Foundation, said Ireland decided to donate the furniture after she had lunch with Ward. The furniture will fill homes for abused and neglected children.
The donated furniture includes beds, desks, toy chests, night stands, game tables, chairs, book cases, rockers and foot stools.
Melanie Mitchell, chairman of the renovation committee for Hope for Children, said Ireland is committed to organizations that benefit children. Mitchell said that Ireland "has a very caring heart."
All of the brightly colored furniture was unloaded at the old Masonic Home on 23rd Avenue. The Masonic Home site is being renovated to become the future home of Hope for Children.
Ponder said the foundation is undergoing a name change. Once approved by the Hope for Children board, she said, the new name and complex will be called Hope Village.
Mitchell said that while the Ireland's donation was impressive, the project still needs more money.
Mitchell said that $500,000 is still needed to complete the renovations. She said the board is looking to have everything completed by the end of November.
Fredie Carmichael is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3228 or E-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.