With his trademark energy and heartfelt sincerity, Houston businessman and philanthropist Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale brought the crowd to its feet Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon honoring first responders.
“First of all, I want to thank all the great first responders who serve, protect, and sacrifice for the people of this area every single day,” McIngvale began, drawing applause from a packed room at the Cleveland Civic Center. “You’re the ones who get the call in the middle of the night. You’re the ones who run toward trouble when the rest of us are running away. You are the calm in the middle of the storm. You are the constant, not the variable.”
The owner of Gallery Furniture in Houston and one of Texas’ most recognizable figures, McIngvale has long been admired for his philanthropy, patriotism, and devotion to the Houston region. On Thursday, he turned the spotlight toward those who serve on the front lines — the firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel who keep Liberty County safe.
“The product you’re selling to all of us is a product called hope,” he said. “Leaders are dealers in hope, and no one deals more hope than our great first responders we honor here today.”…