Rent-to-own News - RTO Customer of the Year finalists announced

The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations today announced the finalists for its prestigious "Customer of the Year" contest.

The contest -- aimed at commemorating those rent-to-own customers who best exemplify the human spirit through their contribution to their families, communities and society at large -- was narrowed to three finalists this week out of entries from across the United States.

In alphabetical order, the finalists are:

Gloria Fain, nominated by BestWay Rent To Own Store Manager Curtis Clifton of Winfall, North Carolina.

As a single mother of four, Fain manages to juggle her job as a full-time teaching assistant and college student with her commitment to volunteer programs aimed at improving lives of children with disabilities.

She volunteers with the Smart Start Program, the state's nationally recognized  early childhood initiative supporting toddlers and infants with physical disabilities, as an advocate for families of disabled children in four North Carolina Counties and spends her afternoons tutoring at-risk students from kindergarten to second grade.

"Gloria is a great person that influences lives in a positive way each day," Clifton said. "We are fortunate to call her our customer and friend."

Roger Hall, nominated by Rent One Store Manager Terry McLean of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Hall spends his time devoted to programs that serve the needy in Jefferson County, Illinois, through his work with the Central Christian Church Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen.

In addition, he helps serve over 200 meals at the Central Christian Church's annual Thanksgiving feast open to those in need. He also serves Christmas dinner to senior citizens at the local Rose Lane Senior Citizens Complex and volunteers each year with the Jefferson County Christmas for the Needy program which raises funds and provides presents for hundreds of young children in the area.

"The best way I can describe Roger is when Roger talks, the community listens," McLean said. "If there is a good cause in Mt. Vernon, you can count on Roger."

Robert and Sherron Wilder, nominated by Rent-A-Center Store Manager James Bezjian of Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Robert and Sherron Wilder have made their impact on Benton Harbor through a number of community outreach programs focused on child advocacy and education, homelessness and substance abuse beginning in 1992 with founding the State Theatre -- a safe haven for children that served over 2,000.

In 2000 the Wilders started the Prevention First Summer Camps where children would learn about child abuse, drug abuse, abstinence and gun violence. The couple ran this camp until 2005.

In 2005 the couple started the Forgotten Men Outreach Ministries in downtown Benton Harbor -- a day camp for homeless men where they are provided coffee, a bite to eat and information on how to find permanent housing. The facility also provides limited overnight accommodations for those unable to secure a bed at the Salvation Army.

"Their many selfless community services over the last almost two decades are a testament to the good that all mankind is capable of," Bezjian said.

The APRO 2009 Customer of the Year Winner receives $1,000 cash prize and the employee who nominates the winner receives a cash prize of $500 for discovering the rent-to-own customer that best exemplifies the humanity and giving spirit within the industry.

The 2009 winner will be announced next week.

The customer winner will be featured with a video during APRO's General Session and in APRO's national publications. See past award winners and watch their videos here.