SACRAMENTO, CA -- Sleep Train (www.sleeptrain.com), the West Coast's largest mattress retailer and fourth largest Nationwide, announced today that its CEO Dale Carlsen and VP of Marketing Mike Wilson played an active role in the meeting between Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the NBA to keep the Sacramento Kings from moving to Anaheim. Carlsen and 25 other local business executives participated in the meeting pledging financial support to demonstrate the desire and wherewithal of the business community to keep the Kings in Sacramento. Sleep Train is one of 33 companies who provided sponsorship commitments totaling an estimated $10 million, exceeding the NBA's expectations, and demonstrating the support for an NBA team in Sacramento.
"We are strong believers in our community and recognize the importance and value of having live music, sports and entertainment in our region," said Carlsen. "As an employee-owned company, we are proud to show our support for the Sacramento Kings. The jobs that will be saved by keeping the Kings in Sacramento are important to the region's economic recovery."
Sleep Train's primary goals with its sponsorship are to keep the Kings in Sacramento, provide reward opportunities for its employees and to further Sleep Train's work on improving the lives of Foster Kids in the Sacramento Region. Sleep Train's award-winning Foster Kids program provides important needed items such as clothing, shoes, school supplies, gifts, and pajamas, as well as cash to its foster organization partners who support California's nearly 60,000 foster children. The company also sponsors four music venues in California including Sleep Train Amphitheatre (Sacramento/Marysville), Sleep Train Pavilion (Concord), the Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View), and the Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre (San Diego).
"It's a significant part of our culture to give back to the communities in which we do business," closed Carlsen.
The final decision on whether or not the Kings will stay in Sacramento is due next week.
Sleep Train has more than 90 stores throughout California that are currently accepting donations of new shoes for its annual Shoe Drive for Foster Kids through May 1st, 2011. Please visit the store locator at www.sleeptrain.com to find the location nearest you or call 1-800-378-BEDS (2337). Sleep Train store hours are Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
About Sleep Train
Sleep Train Mattress Centers, an award winning, employee-owned company, is ranked the #1 bedding specialist on the West Coast. Sleep Train offers customers superior service by professional and knowledgeable sleep consultants and the best selection of famous brands, such as Simmons Beautyrest®, Sealy Posturepedic®, Tempur-Pedic®, Stearns & Foster, and the Vera Wang Collection by Serta®, as well as premium adjustable beds, futons, and wood and metal accent beds at the guaranteed lowest prices. Sleep Train's award-winning Foster Kids program actively contributes to its community through ongoing donation drives that benefit the area's nearly 60,000 foster children. With more than 90 retail locations throughout California, Sleep Train is Your Ticket to a Better Night's Sleep®. For more information, please visit www.sleeptrain.com or call 1-800-378-BEDS.
Media Contacts:
Revolution PR for Sleep Train
Jennifer Karkar Ritchie, (206) 932-2454, jennifer@revolutionpr.com
Aaron Hilst, (206) 355-3506, aaron@revolutionpr.com
