ABDB Designs Gives Back to Frontline Heroes and Aspiring Young Artists

by Abby Montanez
ABDB Designs

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, it has been uplifting to see the ways in which businesses across the country have given back to their communities. Whether it’s through fundraising, petitioning or donating sales, efforts have gone towards supporting healthcare professionals, patients and any person whose life or livelihood has been negatively impacted. Award-winning Union City furniture studio, ABDB Designs, debuted an initiative this past May in which 100 percent of the profits from an exclusive coaster collection go towards benefitting Frontline Foods and Free Arts NYC.

ABDB Cares Initiative, as it’s called, was launched by the studio’s co-founders Djivan Schapira and Andrew James. The four-piece coaster set was handmade by Schapira himself using a patented process by ABDB Designs of suspending recycled pieces of natural end grain in resin and finishing with a high gloss. Each of the colors represents a different and unique sentiment. Red for health workers, yellow for happiness, orange for determination and creativity and white for safety.

The pair had been carefully considering the best way to go about giving back during these times, and landed on two organizations that hit close to home:

“Both of my parents are physicians, and Djivan and I both have friends on the frontlines, not to mention we are small business owners, so Frontline Foods was an easy choice on that end as we are now able to contribute to both,” said James, who is originally from Chicago. Frontline Foods provides and prepares meals for clinicians, while simultaneously supporting local restaurants. They’ve since partnered with nonprofit World Central Kitchen led by chef José Andrés, in order to expand the reach of their program. 

ABDB Designs

ABDB Designs

Free Arts NYC was Schapira’s choice, inspired by his upbringing and familial support in becoming an artist. He explained, “I have had the privilege of learning how to woodwork from my father, which helped steer me in the direction of starting this company. But not everybody gets that opportunity, so from the beginning, I always wanted to make it a priority to give back to young artists, share my knowledge, and hopefully help build their confidence that there are other paths than just going to college and getting a corporate job.” The mission of Free Arts NYC is to be a resource for underserved youth by empowering them through arts and mentoring programs.

To commemorate the launch of ABDB Cares, the co-founders hung up signs in the windows of the ABDB Designs headquarters which overlooks the 14th street Hoboken Viaduct. The display reads, “Support Essential Workers” and “Support Artists.”

It was also documented in a video that you can watch below. 

To purchase the ABDB Cares coaster collection you can order the $80 set directly from the ABDB Designs website, which they say helps to reduce costs and maximize the total profits they’ll be able to donate.

About ABDB CARES:

THE ABDB CARES INITIATIVE is being launched by high-end furniture design and build studio ABDB Designs, as an exclusive coaster line with 100 percent of the profits from the line being donated to Frontline Foods & Free Arts NYC. ABDB Designs is an award-winning studio designing and handcrafting avant-garde pieces of luxury furniture and interior décor, all featuring their patented process of embedding recycled pieces of natural end grain in custom colored resin.

About the Author/s

All posts

Abby is The Digest's Managing Editor. She spends her time looking at dogs on Instagram and eating her way around Jersey City.

Related Articles

Leave a Comment

Yes, I would like to receive emails from The Digest Online. Sign me up!



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: New Jersey Digest. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact