Walker Furniture comes through for single mom in need

Walker Furniture made the holidays brighter for 30 families in the Las Vegas Valley recently with free furniture delivered to those in need.

One of them was LaDoris Johnson, who held her 2-year-old daughter Amirah and stared as workers brought in piece after piece: a living room set with a sofa, a love seat, and coffee and end tables, plus lamps, a dining room set and two full bedroom sets.

"We went from having nothing to having everything," a stunned Johnson said. "This is the best Christmas ever."

The good tidings didn't stop with the furniture. Star Nursery — a new partner to the Walker's annual effort — also pitched in with a live Christmas tree and ornaments for trimming it, plus a $150 Visa gift card.

"We are giving one (Visa) card to each family," said Paul "Dr. Q" Noe, Star Nursery representative. "They can use it for food or presents or whatever they need."

The Las Vegas Rescue Mission brought food, blankets and a pink bicycle with training wheels for little Amirah, who clung to her mother.

Patti Gerace, marketing director for Walker Furniture, said the company was helping families that were chosen from 2,300 letters and emails. Helping Hands of Vegas Valley went through every nomination, choosing those most in need and helping to set up the deliveries. Gerace said the number of nominees had increased twofold since they began accepting emails, not just mailed letters, last year.

"It's awesome to see what it means to people, what it does to change their lives," she said. "She (Johnson) literally had nothing — was sleeping on the floor — It warms your heart to announce (the winners) and makes you appreciate what you have."

Gerace added that the donation is often the jump-start people need to get back on their feet.

"It changes people's lives," she said.

Johnson said it would have a profound effect on her: The money she'd been setting aside for furniture would now be designated for a down payment on a car.

"It's not about me," Johnson said of the sudden windfall. "It's about her (Amirah). I live for her. I do what I have to do. I've been taking the lowest-paying jobs just to make ends meet. ... I didn't expect a tree, the gifts, the money. It's one thing to hear about it (being chosen), but you can't imagine the feeling, now that it's here. It's truly a blessing."

Some of the Walker Furniture recipients were scheduled to receive their furniture after the first of the year due to scheduling logistics.

"It's a whole house of perfectness," Johnson said.

Visit walkerfurniturehomefortheholidays.com.

— To reach Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan, email jhogan@viewnews.com or call 702-387-2949.