For over 75 years, Smitty's Furniture has been more than just a furniture retailer. Since Edward "Smitty" Schmidt opened the first store in 1949, community involvement has been woven into the fabric of our family business. Today, that tradition continues as we support numerous initiatives across the regions we serve from our showrooms in Hanover, Kitchener, and Barrie.
A Legacy of Giving Back
At the heart of Smitty's community involvement is a simple philosophy: we believe in supporting the communities that have supported us. As a family-owned Canadian business, we understand that our success is directly tied to the wellbeing of the regions we serve.
"Smitty's has been a major contributor to different fundraising initiatives and is proud to get involved with different charities within our communities. Giving back to the community is something that our founding family, the Schmidts, were passionate about and we're proud to carry on the legacy of charitable giving to various fundraising initiatives.”
This commitment has remained unwavering through three generations of family leadership.
Supporting Essential Community Services
Smitty's contributions extend to many vital services that support vulnerable community members. Over the years, we've proudly donated to:
- Local food banks, helping families facing food insecurity
- Mental health initiatives, supporting crucial resources in our communities
- Women's crisis services, providing assistance to those in need of safety and support
- Hospital foundations, contributing to healthcare improvements
- Emergency response efforts, including providing fabric for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic
These ongoing partnerships reflect our commitment to addressing critical needs in the communities we serve across Southern Ontario.
Seasonal Giving: The Angel Tree Program
The holiday season brings special opportunities for giving, and Smitty's is proud to participate in initiatives like The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program.
This heartwarming program helps bring joy to families in need during the holidays. Visitors to our Hanover showroom can select a tag from the Angel Tree and leave a gift that will be distributed to local children who might otherwise go without during the holiday season.
"We're proud to be among the community of retailers who support this program," says a Smitty's team member. "It's a simple way to make a significant difference in a child's life during what should be a magical time of year."
The Angel Tree at our Hanover Showroom (170 3rd Street, Hanover) accepts donations until December 16th each year. It's just one of the ways we help facilitate connections between our generous customers and important community causes.
Supporting Healthcare: Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation
Healthcare is the cornerstone of community wellbeing, which is why Smitty's proudly supports the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation through special events like our annual tent sale.
This three-day event at our Kitchener showroom (170A Gateway Park Drive) combines great deals on quality furniture with fundraising for an essential community resource. A portion of all sales during the event is donated directly to the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation, helping fund equipment, facility improvements, and patient care initiatives.
The event isn't just about shopping, it's about bringing the community together. With family activities like face painting and live entertainment, the tent sale creates a festive atmosphere while raising awareness and funds for local healthcare.
Community Sponsorships: Supporting Local Initiatives
Beyond our major charity partnerships, Smitty's sponsors numerous local initiatives throughout the year. From youth sports teams to arts programs and community festivals, these sponsorships help create vibrant, connected communities across our service regions.
These smaller but equally important contributions help ensure that community programs remain accessible and sustainable, enriching the quality of life for residents of all ages.
"We believe that strong communities are built on participation and support," explains a Smitty's team member. "When we sponsor local initiatives, we're investing in the cultural and social fabric that makes each community special."
Employee Involvement: The Heart of Our Community Commitment
While financial contributions and partnerships form the backbone of our community support, it's our employees who truly bring our community commitment to life. Our team of 50 dedicated staff members across our locations actively participates in volunteer initiatives, fundraising events, and community projects.
Many of our team members have been with us for decades, creating deep connections with the communities we serve. Their personal investment in local causes amplifies our company's impact and ensures that our community support is meaningful and targeted to genuine needs.
"Our team is like family," notes a Smitty's representative. "Many have been with us for multiple decades of service. They take pride in connecting with customers and providing exceptional expertise while delivering a friendly customer experience—and that extends to how they engage with community causes as well."
After a devastating ice storm swept through Northern Ontario, Smitty's Furniture stepped up, along with Barrie Chamber of Commerce, to support the local community by providing much-needed supplies. Among their generous contributions were warm blankets, offering comfort and relief to residents facing cold and challenging conditions in Oro-Medonte. Their timely support has made a meaningful difference, helping the community recover and stay warm in the aftermath of the storm.
Supporting Canadian Manufacturing
Our commitment to community extends beyond charitable giving to include economic support. By focusing on Canadian-made furniture, we help sustain manufacturing jobs across the country, particularly in Ontario.
With brands like Bermex, Brentwood, Decor-Rest, Durham Furniture, Future Fine Furniture, Kingsdown, Leathercraft, Palliser, and Serta in our showrooms, we're proud to support Canadian craftsmanship and the local economy.
This emphasis on Canadian manufacturing aligns with our community values—supporting quality local production helps maintain vibrant, economically sustainable communities while reducing environmental impacts associated with long-distance shipping.
Looking Forward: Continuing the Tradition
As Smitty's continues to grow, with our recent return to Barrie in 2024 expanding our reach further across Southern Ontario, our commitment to community support grows with us. Each new location brings opportunities to forge new community partnerships and extend the positive impact we can make.
Whether through major partnerships with organizations like the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation and The Salvation Army, or through smaller local initiatives, Smitty's commitment to community remains unwavering.
How You Can Join Us in Supporting Our Communities
We invite our customers to join us in making a difference:
- Participate in seasonal giving programs like the Angel Tree at our Hanover location
- Attend community fundraising events like our tent sale supporting the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation
- Share information about upcoming community initiatives with friends and family
- Let us know about important causes in your community that might benefit from Smitty's support
When you shop at Smitty's, you're not just purchasing quality Canadian-made furniture—you're supporting a business that reinvests in the communities it serves. It's a tradition started by our founder Edward "Smitty" Schmidt in 1949 that continues to guide our business today.
From our showrooms in Hanover, Kitchener, and Barrie, we remain committed to serving and supporting the communities of Southern Ontario for generations to come—because to us, community isn't just where we do business; it's who we are.
For more information about our community initiatives or to suggest a community partnership, please contact your nearest Smitty's showroom in Hanover, Kitchener, or Barrie.