Through Operation Shut Eye, members of a U.S. military special operations unit (faces obscured for security purposes) deployed overseas receive a delivery of Tempur-Pedic mattress toppers.
Mattress major Tempur Sealy International Inc. celebrated a decade of giving in July when it donated its 200,000th Tempur-Pedic mattress. The Lexington, Kentucky-based company outfitted eight residences in the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge Network with new Tempur-Pedic mattresses.
The company has long-term relationships with a number of charities, said Rick Maynard, TSI director of public relations and corporate communications. In addition to the Hope Lodge, TSI works with Ronald McDonald House Charities, Good360 for disaster recovery and other donations, and Darkhorse Benefits for Special Forces donations.
TSI also assists with other donation requests throughout the year, including a significant number in cooperation with retailers, Maynard said.
The donation program is managed and operated by an internal group of TSI employees.
“I am fortunate to be able to attend quite a few donation events on behalf of Tempur Sealy, and it is absolutely the best day at work you can imagine,” Maynard said. “Every mattress we donate changes a life, so when you start multiplying that by thousands, it is a huge impact. When you get a chance to meet the recipients, hear their stories and fully understand how much we are helping people, it makes you feel really proud of who you work for.”
This year the company expects to donate a total of 16,000 mattresses.
On Veterans Day Nov. 11, TSI in partnership with Ashley HomeStore and Darkhorse Benefits will give its 10,000th Tempur-Pedic mattress to active duty military personnel serving in special forces and special operations units. Through Operation Shut Eye, TSI has a goal of giving 15,000 Tempur-Pedic mattresses and toppers to Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets and Rangers, Air Force Combat Controllers, and Marine Raiders.
Providing assistance after natural disasters is another important component of TSI’s giving strategy. The company works with Good 360 to reach victims of flooding, hurricanes and wildfires around the United States. The value of these donations from 2016 through 2019 will top $10 million.
“One of Tempur Sealy’s corporate values is ‘we do the right thing,’ ” said Scott Thompson, TSI chair, president and chief executive officer. “Whether we are providing mattresses for a Ronald McDonald House, a veterans’ organization, a homeless shelter, a fire station or for victims of a natural disaster, we are privileged to help provide a great night’s sleep to so many.”
TSI also has established the Tempur Sealy Foundation, now in its third year, which focuses on providing annual cash grants to a variety of organizations operating in central Kentucky that support children and families.
