Hardware show gives record donation

Companies exhibiting products at the recently concluded National Hardware Show donated 14 trailer loads of goods to Opportunity Village.

It was the largest donation to date to the nonprofit agency, which serves those with intellectual disabilities, from the show’s exhibitors.

Laura D’Amore, director of sales at Opportunity Village, said the donation surpassed any from previous years by 15 percent, which means more merchandise for the thrift store that employs mentally disabled people in the Las Vegas area.

“The National Hardware Show is a major contributing factor to our store’s success,” D’Amore said. “Prior to receiving the donations from the National Hardware Show, our thrift division closed three stores and was in jeopardy of closing the last store down. This would have displaced 23 adults with severe disabilities that work in the store, not to mention the needed merchandise offered to the surrounding low-income communities. Now every year after the National Hardware Show, the community lines up outside the doors waiting to see the fabulous tools, garden décor and hardware that awaits. It is like Christmas morning for about two months at Opportunity Village Thrift Store.”

This year’s donation — the largest since the National Hardware Show moved to Las Vegas in 2004 and made Opportunity Village its preferred charity — was the perfect ending to a successful show, which featured more than 2,300 exhibitors across nine product categories such as hardware and tools, homewares, paint and accessories, plumbing and electrical, storage and organization, and outdoor living.

In addition to the goods collected from many show exhibitors, Opportunity Village also received the Sears “traveling toolbox” full of tools and gift cards, which was presented by TV personality and home design expert Ty Pennington in a special ceremony.

“We think this is a great cause that really embodies the ‘Do It Together’ message, so Sears is providing them with a fully stocked toolbox and some other materials,” Pennington told a standing-room-only crowd at the show.

“The presentation and Mr. Pennington’s endorsement of Opportunity Village provided us with more merchandise this year than any other,” D’Amore added. “We had exhibitors telling all our Opportunity Village staff, ‘I hear you do wonderful things for people with disabilities in the Las Vegas community.’ The buy-in and support from everyone in this year’s show was heartwarming. We truly feel like part of the National Hardware Show family and thank them for everything they do for our very special people.”