Rent-to-own News - 'A breath of fresh air': Illinois RDA makes renovation possible at area Boys and Girls Club

IRDA Board members.

It wasn't the outreach project they'd planned to do; but it's the one that needed doing.

The Illinois Rental Dealers Association Tuesday will formally present The Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois (BGCCIL) with a check for $21,000 at a press conference at 10 a.m. in Springfield -- a donation that will fund a slew of renovations at the Club's central unit in east Springfield.

The BGCCIL, which provides sports and fitness, arts, leadership, health and career development programs for over 900 area children ages 6-18 annually, sort of pitched itself to Illinois Rental Dealers Association scouts, who at the time were looking to add playground equipment to an existing park for the city, according to association treasurer Larry Carrico.

"We'd decided back at our last board meeting we wanted to do something for the community and that's where the park idea came from," Carrico said. "But we weren't all that impressed with the park location. When we went around the block and saw the activity at the Boys and Girls Club we knew we had a winner. We knew this project would give the community more bang for the buck."

Jill Young Shurtz, president and CEO of the BGCCIL, said the surprise donation couldn't have come at a better time. With the state facing a $12 billion budget shortfall, and local contributions down, Shurtz wasn't sure how the renovation work would be accomplished anytime soon.

"It was really a breath of fresh air," Shurtz said. "They most definitely picked a good time because this kind of contribution is not easy to come by, especially in today's economy. They've (IRDA) given us a chance to improve our facilities and, through this partnership, we'll have the opportunity to serve more kids."

The $21,000.00 contribution will be used for various improvements and upgrades at the central unit which include new bathroom facilities, staff computers, landscaping and a sponsorship for the Gus Macker “Dream Court” during the three on three basketball tournament on July 11 and 12, 2009 in downtown Springfield.

Press conference guests scheduled to appear include Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin, Illinois State Senator Larry Bomke, Representative Raymond Poe, Springfield City Council Alderwoman Gail Simpson and Sherman Mayor Trevor Clatfelter.

Other dignitaries expected to attend include Carol Murna, Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock’s (IL-18) Chief of Staff, and Pat Dawson, from Congressman Phil Hare’s (IL-17) office.

Members of the IRDA Board of Directors and Gopal Reddy, President and CEO of Action Development Corporation, an Aaron’s franchise, will present the check to Schurtz Tuesday.

The Illinois Rental Dealers Association, established 15 years ago, represents over 200 members all located in Illinois. The Association’s officers are: President Steve Braning of National Rent to Own, Vice President Kevin R. Milliron of Aaron's, Treasurer Larry Carrico of Rent One, Secretary Henry Baird and seven board members. The organization strives to safeguard the trade interests of Illinois rental dealers and vendors, and promote ethical practices and goodwill within the rental-purchase industry and community.

“A few years ago the IRDA decided there would be one major philanthropic project each year that would benefit the children in one community in Illinois," Milliron said. "This year we are proud to be able to help the The Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois. Considering the state and federal funding cuts to social service organizations, we felt it important for our businesses to step forward and contribute at this time.”

Illinois is home to 258 rent-to-own stores that employ 1,548 and drive over $190,000,000 in annual revenues. Springfield is home to two National Rent To Own stores, two Aaron's and two Rent-A-Center stores.

"This is something where we stepped back and said we wanted to do something different," Braning said. "We decided every year we want to go to a different part of our state and do something for our community. It was really a group effort I'm proud to be part of."

mevans@rtohq.org