ATLANTA, Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc.
(NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase
solutions, and its divisions Aaron's and Progressive Leasing,
surprised teens in November with a newly renovated Keystone Teen
Center at the O'Donnell Heights Boys & Girls Club of
Metropolitan Baltimore. The event marked the 24th
refresh by Aaron's, Inc. in communities across the U.S.
Through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(BGCA) and input from the teen members, Aaron's associates and Club
officials worked on painting, decorating and furnishing a gaming
and lounge zone and an education area with new computers for the
teens. Then local Aaron's associates and Club officials
unveiled the new space, which is now equipped with new technology,
sectionals, tables and chairs, sound systems and fresh coats of
paint. Teens chose the special Sherwin-Williams™ paint colors for
the space: Butter Up, Gleeful, Notable Hue and Elephant
Ear.
"Aaron's is proud to continue our heritage of giving by bringing
our philanthropic tradition to these remarkable and impressive
Baltimore teens," said
John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc.
"The Boys & Girls Club is a vital community resource for
at-risk teens, and Aaron's is committed to providing these young
people with the resources they need to achieve successful
futures."
In 2015, the Aaron's Foundation, Inc. announced a three-year,
$5 million national partnership with
Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Keystone Program, helping teens
develop their character and leadership skills in hopes of helping
them reach their potential and creating positive change in the
community. Keystone Club teen centers provide members ages 14-18 an
environment to plan and participate in activities that focus on
community service, academic success, career preparation and teen
outreach.
The 23 previous Keystone Club makeovers have included Boys &
Girls Clubs in cities such as Los
Angeles, San Antonio,
Nashville, Las Vegas, Chicago and Milwaukee. The makeover at the O'Donnell
Heights Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore includes an
additional in-kind retail donation valued at $28,000.
"Aaron's has transformed our Teen Center into a modern,
state-of-the-art facility that our teens can be proud of for years
to come," said Gary Johnson,
director of O'Donnell Heights Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan
Baltimore. "This partnership with Aaron's has given our teens the
resources necessary to achieve academic excellence and reach their
career goals, while also providing a wonderful example of giving
back to the community."
Keystone teen members of the O'Donnell Heights Boys & Girls
Club of Metropolitan Baltimore said the program inspires them to
take ownership of their choices to build the lives they
deserve.
"The Keystone program allowed me to be a part of something.
They gave me a chance where others would not have. This is like a
second family for me." Montay P., 16 years old
"I am grateful for the Keystone program as it has helped me
be a better person." Erin J., 15 years old
"The Keystone program has allowed me to give back to my
community. Without the program, I do not know if I would have ever
had the chance to be a leader." Torro J., 17 years old
To see photos of the Keystone Club remodel at the O'Donnell
Heights Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore, visit
Aaron's on Facebook (www.facebook.com/aaronsinc), on Twitter
(www.twitter.com/AaronsInc) and at
www.aarons.com/aaronsgives.
About Aaron's, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a
leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. The
Aaron's Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and
specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home
appliances and accessories through its 1,750 Company-operated and
franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform,
Aarons.com. In addition, Progressive Leasing, a virtual
lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through
approximately 27,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med,
Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit
products that are originated through federally insured banks. For
more information, visit investor.aarons.com, Aarons.com,
ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than
150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (http://www.bgca.org)
has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as
productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,300 Clubs serve
4 million young people annually through Club membership and
community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public
housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve
military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military
installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult
mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development
programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours.
Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and
citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni,
54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters
are located in Atlanta.
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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.