Mattress employees ‘stuff’ the Toys for Tots bins

Employees and the owner from the Serta Mattress
bedding factory in Romulus donated more than
$3,000 in gifts to Toys for Tots this year, topping
the $1,000 they gave to the holiday charity organization
last year. Photo by Tracy Bostwick.

The spirit of giving is alive and well at the Serta Mattress facility in Romulus.
To date, employees have donated more than $3,000 to help Toys for Tots this year, topping their contribution of more than $1,000 last year.
The bedding manufacturing plant was founded by Harry Kraft in 1913 and is currently owned by his great-grandson, Larry Kraft, now the CEO, who has joined the employees in generously contributing to the holiday effort. 

Lance Reid, an employee at Serta Mattress,
poses with some of the Toys for Tots
donations this year. He suggested
the campaign at the factory last year.

“I know Serta Restokraft's success throughout our 106 years in business is largely due to the tremendous employees we've had but those who are working here today, are truly the most amazing group of individuals I've ever had the pleasure of working with. 
“They represent what the meaning of holidays is all about.  I'm so proud of their willingness to ensure no child goes without during this time of the year.  Together the Serta 'family' has collected and is donating over $2500 worth of toys to the Romulus Toys for Tots chapter,” Kraft said.
The effort began last year when employee Lance Reid approached Kraft an idea to collect money at Christmas time and donate to a family in need in the Romulus community. When Kraft agreed and the announcement was made to the 170 employees, contributions were immediate, explained Tracy Bostwick, human resources director at the facility.
“The money started rolling in quickly and after about a week the money donated was more than enough to help several families in our community,” she said. “We contacted Toys for Tots - Romulus chapter and had boxes delivered the very next day.  A couple of the office ladies took the money and went on a shopping spree for several hours.  We ended up with 14 bikes, toys, games and books from infant all the way up to teenage appropriate gifts.
“The total donated by employees of Serta Mattress was $500 and with the generous company match from Larry Kraft, we had $1000 worth of gifts for Christmas last year,” she said.
“I grew up being a family in need.  My mom used to take us to pick out a gift from the local church which partnered with Goodwill and that was our Christmas.  I'm in a better position, financially, than I was growing up, so I want to give back and inspire others to give back, just like people helped me in times of need.  Not to mention, I really love Christmas and do not want to see any child go without a gift at this time of the year,” Reid said.
Again this year, Kraft matched the employees' contributions and with the $2,400, there were multiple gifts for Toys for Tots this year.
“This is what the holiday is all about, giving to others in need and our factory employees are sometimes just scraping by but yet they willingly donated hard earned money so children could have gifts at Christmas,” Bostwick said.