The Mattress Industry Dealers Association, in partnership with Zinus Inc., coordinated the donation of more than 500 mattresses to families in need in 2025.
Many of these people lost homes, belongings and a sense of normalcy overnight when tornadoes ripped through central Kentucky. The effort brought together manufacturers, independent retailers and community organizations in a powerful demonstration of compassion and collaboration.
The initiative was spearheaded by Greg Jent, CEO of MIDAS, who immediately began reaching out to industry partners to assess how quickly meaningful help could be delivered.
“After a disaster like this, people need more than supplies — they need rest, dignity and a place to begin rebuilding,” Jent said. “A mattress may seem simple, but it represents comfort, stability and a step toward recovery.”
That call was answered swiftly by Jenna Stringer, U.S. director of sales-omnichannel/retail at Zinus Inc., who jumped into action to help source the volume of mattresses needed to meet the overwhelming demand. Their rapid response ensured that families would not be left waiting during an already unimaginable time.
The effort was not without challenges. On the night before the first truckload of mattresses was scheduled to arrive, the shipment was involved in a serious accident and overturned on an interstate in Indiana. Faced with uncertainty and urgency, the team quickly regrouped — securing a second truckload to ensure families would still receive support while assessing how many mattresses from the original shipment could be salvaged and safely distributed.
Local retailers played a critical role in turning logistics into real relief. Chris Nelson and Kylie Nelson, owners of Cumberland Furniture Outlet and Cumberland Furniture & Mattress in Somerset, were instrumental in organizing and executing distribution efforts for families in their community. Their hands-on involvement ensured that mattresses reached those who needed them most — quickly, respectfully and efficiently.
In Bowling Green, Mary Osborne of the Good Deeds Club, working alongside Discount Mattress, coordinated distribution efforts for families in need, helping transform an industry donation into a deeply personal act of care.
Together, these efforts turned a moment of tragedy into one of unity.
“This initiative stands as a reminder of what is possible when manufacturers, independent retailers and community organizations work together — not as competitors, but as neighbors,” Jent said. “More than 500 mattresses were delivered, but the true impact was measured in something far greater: restored comfort, renewed hope and the knowledge that the mattress industry showed up when it mattered most.”
