Despite having no place to live, moving with a 6-month old son, and knowing only one person in Alliance, Doug Bruce and his wife Donna founded Bruce Furniture and Flooring. Since establishing the location in Alliance in 1977, Bruce Furniture has expanded to other locations in Hastings, Holdrege, Kearney, and North Platte. These locations all participated in a “Kissing Cancer Goodbye” sale in February, with a portion of the sales donated to a local cancer organization.
The “Kissing Cancer Goodbye” sale proved a great success in its first year. Jane’s Closet, a financial assistance program in Alliance, received $9,279.80! Jane’s Closet is just one of the philanthropic programs managed by the Box Butte Health Foundation. Recipients of Jane’s Closet funds receive financial assistance for a variety of needs related to cancer treatment. Other organizations that received funds from the sale include Circle of Light in Chadron, Festival of Hope in Scottsbluff, and C.A.R.E. Foundation in Gordon. BBHF is grateful for the generosity of Bruce Furniture and the community.
Bruce Furniture Alliance Store Manager Michelle Garrett said, “We live in a great community with great customers. Without them this wouldn’t happen.” This falls right in line with “The Bruce Difference” belief stating, “We believe we have a responsibility to support our communities with our time, our talents, and our resources.”
BBHF Director Chelsea Thompson said, “Jane’s Closet is grateful for the incredible generosity and support from our community and Bruce Furniture! We are thrilled to share that 66 individuals chose to donate 10% of their purchase toward Jane’s Closet. This fundraiser will have a significant impact on our program, allowing us to continue providing financial assistance to cancer patients, so they can focus on their health and healing. Your support is making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.”
Contact BBHF or Jane’s Closet at healthfoundation@bbgh.org, janescloset@bbgh.org, or call 308-761-3079. Anyone going through any kind of cancer can be nominated to receive funds from Jane’s Closet.