Furniture World News Desk on
6/11/2024
Pictured L-R, three members of the Binke family; Catherine Frinier; Krissy Kobata; Richard Frinier; and David Binke.
The home furnishings industry raised over $960,000 during this year’s West Coast Golf
& Tennis Tournament to benefit City of Hope, the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the
United States and a leading research center for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.
The West
Coast Golf & Tennis Tournament held June 10, in Coto de Caza, California, honored David Binke, CEO of
King Koil Mattress Co., and Catherine and Richard Frinier, co-founders band principals of the Richard Frinier Design
Studio, with the Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Following a full day of friendly competition on the golf course and tennis courts, more than 500 attendees
representing virtually every segment of the industry convened for a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions,
dinner, and awards presentation.
Special guest and City of Hope patient speaker Krissy Kobata shared her journey as a bone marrow cancer survivor. At
age 25, Kobata was diagnosed with myelodysplasia, a rare type of blood cancer in which the body’s bone marrow
does not make enough healthy blood cells. She needed a bone marrow transplant. As a mixed-race individual, with a
Japanese father and Caucasian mother, her chances of finding a matching donor were nearly impossible. It took a
worldwide search and 10 years to find her donor match, which was only the beginning of a two-year post-transplant
experience that was the most physically and emotionally challenging time of her life.
At the event, Kobata met for the first time Michael Amini, a long-time supporter of City of Hope and whose
contributions made possible the Michael Amini Transfusion Medicine Center, where Kobata received outpatient
chemotherapy prior to her transplant.
Today, 16 years after her diagnosis, Kobata credits her life to the expertise and dedication of her care team at City
of Hope. She now works to raise awareness for mixed-race bone marrow donors.
“On behalf of City of Hope and long-time co-chairs of this incredible event, Debra Tous, Neil Friedman, Irene
Crowell, Larry Furiani, Jaclyn Jimenez, Ryan Mahoney, and Chuck Reilly, I would like to thank all the sponsors,
donors, supporters and volunteers for their continued support to make this annual fundraiser a success,” said
Rick Powell, who has spearheaded the west coast event since 1992 when he was honored with City of Hope’s
Spirit of Life® Award.
This year’s top sponsors received special recognition:
- Diamond Sponsor: King Koil, Richard Frinier Design Studio
- Emerald Sponsors: David, Kathy, Hannah and Jessica Binke
- Platinum Sponsors: Ashjer, GigaCloud Technology, J.B. Hunt Final Mile, Living Spaces,
Sit ‘n Sleep
- Premier Media Sponsor: Furniture Today
The 2025 West Coast Golf & Tennis Tournament will honor Jeff Child, president of RC Willey, John Moungian,
president of Qualex Inc., and Harold Hudson, vice president of business development at Summer Classics ICFA with the
event scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2025. For more information on how to support and get involved, email
IHFIevents@coh.org.
About City of Hope
City of Hope’s mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest
cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and
other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal
antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at its core, City
of Hope brings a uniquely integrated model to patients spanning cancer care, research and development, academics and
training, and innovation initiatives. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus,
a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California,
and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of
Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. For more information about
City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About International Home Furnishings Industry
Inspired by the guiding humanitarian principles of City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment
organizations in the U.S. and a leading research center for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses, and
motivated by the institution’s commitment to innovative medical research and compassionate patient care, a group of
key industry executives founded City of Hope’s International Home Furnishings Industry (IHFI) group in
1965.
In its 50-plus-year history, the group has raised over $100 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most
influential figures in the home furnishings industry. With a tradition of uniting professionals from around the
world, IHFI represents a community of executives, professionals and colleagues in every segment of the home
furnishings category, including retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives, suppliers and associated service
providers.
The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious honor and is presented to an esteemed
community of industry leaders around the world who have made a significant commitment to improving the lives of
others through the advancement of research and clinical innovation and the delivery of personalized, compassionate
care.
Past honorees include Martin Ploy of AICO, Andrew Koenig of CITY Furniture, Rick Anderson, Larry Klaben of Morris
Furniture Co. Inc., Michael Amini, and Todd and Ron Wanek of Ashley Furniture, to name a few.
