Art Van Furniture Hosts Hudsonville Ice Cream Social for Ford Arts Beats & Eats Volunteer Recruits

Aug. 3, 2011 - PRLog -- How “Sweet it will be” as Furniture icon, Art Van Furniture, is hosting a volunteer recruitment event from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, at its Royal Oak store, 32301 Woodward Ave. near 14 Mile Road that features free ice cream from Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream Company for all who attend. Organizers of Ford Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Citizens Bank are seeking 500 individuals to volunteer at the annual Labor Day weekend extravaganza, which returns to downtown Royal Oak for the second consecutive year.

In addition to Hudsonville Ice Cream, Art Van will provide snacks, refreshments and music.  Twenty-minute presentations about volunteering for Ford Arts, Beats & Eats will be hourly at 12:15, 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. with sign-up opportunities following.

Volunteers can register to help man the gates and information booths, greet the festival crowds, provide booth coverage for artists when they want to take a break, help children with craft projects, assist with environmental efforts and undertake countless other duties.  Organizers are looking for people who are outgoing, friendly and flexible, and like to meet people.

“What better way is there to connect with your community and give a little back?” asked Art Van Furniture Director of Communications Diane Charles.  “We are pleased to host this event again and look forward to continuing our long relationship as a proud sponsor of Ford Arts, Beats & Eats.”

Bruce A. Kratt, director of sales and marketing for Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream Company, added, “As the #1 Michigan Made Ice Cream, we are thrilled at being the official ice cream for Ford Arts, Beats & Eats.  We understand that the success of this great event is made possible through the hundreds of volunteers, and, to show our appreciation, will be scooping for all those who volunteer during the sign up event.”

An average volunteer shift is approximately four and a half hours long and volunteers are asked to donate time for a minimum of two shifts during the festival weekend. Participants will be asked to attend one of two training sessions, which will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 28 at the Volunteer Command Center at First United Methodist Church sponsored by Blue Care Network.  Although this is the same location for the center as last year, the Ford Arts, Beats & Eats staff requests that even experienced volunteers attend a training session, as it includes a walk-through component.  Volunteers should be 18 years or older; Individuals 16-17 years of age are also encouraged to volunteer, but are required to volunteer with an individual 21 years of age or older.

Volunteers will be given a festival t-shirt, and snacks and beverage tickets for their specific shifts, as well as free parking and shuttle service. Volunteers will also be invited to a special “Thank You” party, complete with complimentary food and beverages, entertainment and volunteer awards.

The Festival will take place in downtown Royal Oak for four days, Sept. 2 through Sept. 5, 2011, featuring an eclectic music lineup, a nationally recognized juried fine art fair and the finest restaurants in metro Detroit, all in a family friendly atmosphere.

“We are extremely grateful to Art Van Furniture for stepping forward to host this effort on our behalf,” said Jonathan Witz, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats Producer. “Art Van has been a community leader and this festival is made possible each year only because of the hundreds of people who generously donate their time to make it happen. Our volunteers will play a very important role in ensuring the success of this incredible undertaking that will attract visitors to Royal Oak from all over the region.”

Art Van Furniture is Michigan’s largest furniture retailer and America’s largest independent furniture retailer, operating 31 stores in 29 communities throughout Michigan, a full service e-commerce website, plus a new freestanding bedding store in Canton, Michigan, ‘Art Van Pure Sleep.’ The company is family-owned and headquartered in Warren, Michigan. For more information, visit artvan.com.

Held over Labor Day weekend, September 2-5, in downtown Royal Oak, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats will be open from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Labor Day Monday. All net proceeds will benefit local charities. For additional public information on the festival, visit www.artsbeatseats.com or call 248.334.4600.