Will The Aid Be In Your Country Tonight?

Jim McIngvale is one of those characters that someone would have to invent if he didn’t really exist. Better known as "Mattress Mack," he turned one store into one of Houston’s thriving businesses through grit, hard work, and showmanship. So ubiquitous are his ads that I’m reasonably sure that there are Houston area children whose first words are “Gallery Furniture saves you money!”

Now he’s been asked by former president George H.W. Bush to head up Houston area fundraising for tsunami aid.

McIngvale, one of the city's most public philanthropists, said his customers have been asking what he plans to do to help the relief effort.
"I was at a loss," he said, "and then President Bush appointed his father and Clinton."

Linda McIngvale contacted Bush's office to inquire about helping locally.

"We had a meeting," Jim McIngvale said. "It's just a way for us to be involved and help all these people in this tremendous disaster."

If anyone can get folks to give, it will be McIngvale.

But I also want to highlight one item buried at the end of the story.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, is working with the group Houston's Solution for Tsunami Victims to collect medical supplies.

I don’t like the woman, but I’ll give her credit and acknowledgement for doing the right thing here. I’m quite pleased to see it.