ATLANTA, May 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc.
(NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase
solutions, and its divisions Aaron's and Progressive Leasing,
surprised New Hampshire teens last
Wednesday with a freshly revamped Keystone Teen Center at the Union
Street Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester.
Through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(BGCA) and input from the teen members, Aaron's associates and Club
officials worked last Tuesday decorating and furnishing the Club's
multipurpose space. On Wednesday, local Aaron's associates and Club
officials revealed the new space, now equipped with new technology,
sectionals, tables and chairs, sound systems and fresh paint.
"The Union Street Boys & Girls Club provides a supportive
environment for Manchester teens
to achieve their goals and grow into leaders in their community,"
said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's,
Inc. "Aaron's is proud to continue to work alongside the Boys &
Girls Clubs of America to provide the necessary resources and
technology that will instill and foster confidence in these
teens."
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig attended the unveiling and addressed
the crowd. "The support and guidance of the Keystone Club program
has a tremendous impact on these teens and they are so deserving of
this amazing gift. It was wonderful to see firsthand such an
impactful renovation provided by Aaron's to the Teen Center, which
helps set our teens up for success. I am grateful for Aaron's
commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and to families
across Manchester."
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 in which to plan and participate in activities that
focus on community service, academic success, career preparation
and teen outreach.
"The Manchester teens who
participate in Boys & Girls Club programs are given the
confidence necessary to achieve success in the future," said
Diane Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Boys
& Girls Clubs of Manchester.
"The support Aaron's has provided through the new state-of-the-art
technology, furniture and appliances will help us further our
mission and help our teens grow into confident, successful young
adults."
The 27 previous Keystone Club makeovers have included Boys &
Girls Clubs in cities such as Pittsfield, Cincinnati, Las
Vegas, Chicago,
Hartford and Miami. The makeover at the Union Street
Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester includes an additional in-kind
retail donation valued at $25,000.
Keystone teen members of the Union Street Clubhouse of the
Boys & Girls Club of Manchester said the program inspires
them to take ownership of their choices to build the lives they
deserve.
- "I've learned so much because of this program. Before I
joined Keystone, I was the most introverted person ever. Now, to
stop talking is more of a challenge for me." Justin S., 17
- "What was really cool is that it wasn't just Keystone that
was involved, it was different teens in the Teen Center, and
everyone got to participate and say what they wanted to do for the
makeover." Nathalie B., 17
- "For us to give back to the Club like this was such an
awesome opportunity." Justin S., 17
- "Keystone is something I believe a lot of people should do
because leadership is important; it helps young people have a voice
and have a purpose." Atong C., 18
- "I always come back to Keystone because I just love it!
We're like one big family." Nathalie B., 17
- "With the renovation, I'm excited about friendship because a
lot of people say the Club is a second home and it will feel more
like home now." Ama O., 14
- "I'm excited about the new vibe it's going to bring. Now
it's going to be brighter and more appealing to teens." Jayda J.,
14
To see photos of the Keystone Club remodel at the Union Street
Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, visit Aaron's on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/aaronsinc), on Twitter
(www.twitter.com/AaronsInc) and at www.Aarons.com/Aarons-Gives.
About Aaron's, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a
leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions.
Progressive Leasing, a virtual lease-to-own company, provides
lease-purchase solutions through approximately 27,000 retail
locations in 46 states. In addition, the Aaron's Business engages
in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of
furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories
through its 1,719 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47
states and Canada, as well as its
e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. 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 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve
great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today,
more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people 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 and friendship, and
high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during
critical non-school hours. Club programs promote 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. Learn more at
www.facebook.com/bgca.clubs and https://twitter.com/BGCA_Clubs.
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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.