CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A hotel worth of furniture is being donated to the Salvation Army, ahead of the upcoming renovation of the Riverview Inn.
BNA Associates has donated hundreds of items, from chairs and mattresses to TVs and microwave ovens.
Donating the items
Last month, BNA, based in Nashville, announced plans to open a DoubleTree as part of its Riverview Square project, to be constructed next to the new F&M Bank Arena.
As part of that project, the Riverview Inn will receive a complete overhaul, adding an expanded lobby with outdoor space along with several other amenities. Philip Welker, co-founder and partner of BNA Associates, told Clarksville Now the remodel plans also call for replacement of the old furniture.
“Our first thought was to give it to people in need,” Welker said. “The furniture is in good condition; it’s been well maintained, and we just wanted to find an alternate use for it.”
Salvation Army team members and a handful of volunteers rolled up their sleeves on Wednesday to begin loading the items onto trucks.
Andrew Lewis, leader of the Salvation Army Clarksville Corps, said the donation was not only a huge blessing, but also an aspect of the Salvation Army’s mission statement for 2022.
“This year we’re talking about loving beyond people’s circumstances, loving beyond disasters, loving beyond homelessness, and so what an incredible blessing for us to be able to come here and liquidate beds, furniture, refrigerators and microwaves for people in our community that really need it?” Lewis said. “It’s an incredible action of loving beyond people’s circumstances.”
Where is it all going?
Lewis said 70 rooms have been cleared out, some with multiple appliances and beds available. Items donated to the Salvation Army include linens, shower curtains, chairs, TVs, beds and around 160 mattresses. There were also several irons, ironing boards, and lamps in the mix.
“It’s really a great starter kit for people who are getting on their feet,” Lewis said.
He noted these items will support those in the community, along with the Salvation Army’s own efforts, like the women’s ministry and the Salvation Army Summer Camp.
“Here locally, at our Center of Hope, we’re actually updating some of the furniture inside our lobby and our rooms. It’s also going into our family store that helps fund the ministries of the Salvation Army here in Clarksville, whether that be rental assistance or financial assistance of any kind.”
For more information about your local Salvation Army chapter and their efforts in Clarksville, visit their website.