FEATURE — This year, as part of Boulevard Home Furnishings’ annual Labor Day sales event, two student-nominated teachers will receive prizes as recognition for their hard work.
Anyone in education knows this isn’t the first time Boulevard Home Furnishings has shown their appreciation for the dedication of area teachers. The locally owned home furnishings store donates to schools during their Labor Day Sale every year, but for the first time they are awarding two teachers whose students want to shine a light on the impact the teacher had of them.
Students must nominate the teacher of their choice online by writing about why they think the teacher deserves to win. The teacher nomination started Friday and goes until Sept. 8. Teachers from St. George, Cedar City and Mesquite are eligible to win.
“It’s kind of nice to know that even though we’re the ones giving, it’s the students themselves that are acknowledging their teachers,” Boulevard Home Furnishings creative director Steve Manwaring said. “That’s kind of fun for the teachers to know how much their students care about them.”
The first prize winner of the teacher nomination will receive a new Bosch dishwasher, along with $500 in Boulevard cash. The teacher who wins second place will receive a Carnival cruise voucher for two and $150 in Boulevard cash.
“Teachers sacrifice a lot of their own time – and even their own money – to make the classroom experience great for their students,” Manwaring said. “So it’s kind of our way to give back to the community by saying thank you to teachers and giving them a little extra something and some recognition.”
In addition to the chance to recognize a favorite teacher, everyone who participates in the nomination process will be entered to win $50 in Boulevard cash.
To nominate a teacher, click here.
Over 30 years of proverbial “apples for the teacher”
Boulevard Home Furnishings’ first Labor Day Sale to raise money for local schools was in 1989. That year, they donated 14 VCRs – together worth $5,300 – to schools in Washington, Iron and Kane counties.
In the 30 years since, Boulevard has donated a portion of the money from each Labor Day Sale to local schools by giving them a budget to come into the store and purchase items needed for their classrooms, for a total value of over $900,000. Their goal is to have donated over a $1 million to local schools in the next few years.
While Boulevard has other special events throughout the year, they particularly like giving back to local schools, as it aligns with one of their core values: community contribution. Manwaring called the Southern Utah communities “some of the most sought after places in the nation, and not just because of the beautiful landscape and favorable weather.”
He said it is people who live and work here – the schools, businesses, government entities, congregations and civic groups that have worked together and built such great places to live. And along those lines, Boulevard believes in the importance of donating a significant portion of their community contributions to the local schools.
“It’s an investment in the future when we help the students,” Manwaring said.
Not only do schools benefit from the Labor Day Sale, but shoppers do as well. As one of the store’s biggest sale events of the year, there are low prices on furniture, electronics, mattresses, appliances and flooring, as well as 18-month financing with zero down and no interest.
Customers who spend over $499 qualify for free delivery and, until supplies run out, receive their choice of two tickets to a show at either Tuacahn Center for the Arts or the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Written by MIKAYLA SHOUP.
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