MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — DirectBuy presented a $56,500 check to the American Red Cross for its continued efforts to rebuild communities affected by Superstorm Sandy. The check was presented earlier this week at the company’s headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., by DirectBuy CEO Mike Bornhorst.

“We are proud to be a part of the rebuilding efforts for Superstorm Sandy. Our employees and franchises across the United States and Canada all pulled together and made this collective effort possible,” said Bornhorst. “At our very core, the DirectBuy family is about building homes, and we hope that’s what these dollars can help accomplish for Hurricane Sandy victims.”

DirectBuy began its partnership with the American Red Cross in November 2012 shortly after Hurricane Sandy, pledging to donate a portion of proceeds from new membership sales at clubs in the Northeastern United States. To help boost donations over the three month donation period, the company developed a “Rebuild. Restore. Repair.” marketing and social media campaign that offered special relief packages to families considering DirectBuy membership.

“We are very grateful for the outpouring of support from DirectBuy and its members. Their generosity will go a long way to help families recover from Superstorm Sandy – bringing hope to those most in need,” said Heather Kramarek, corporate and foundation officer.

During the campaign, special recognition was given to the New York and New Jersey clubs that made the most significant contributions.

“The clubs in New York and New Jersey showed tremendous support for this effort,” said Barb Coury, chief development director. “It was their members, neighbors, friends and families who were affected by the storm, and this demonstrates their commitment to those relationships and their community as a whole.”

DirectBuy hopes to continue its relationship with the American Red Cross well into the future with a singular goal of helping support families and communities that have been the backbone of the company and its more than 100 locations since 1971.

Since 1971, DirectBuy gives hundreds of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and more. With more than 100 locations across North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in the United States.