Rent-to-own News - APRO announces Customer of the Year Finalists

APRO this week narrowed the field in its annual Customer of the Year competition from dozens of entries to two finalists.
 

Vivian Saunders -- a BestWay Rent-To-Own customer from Ahoskie, North Carolina -- is a model of community involvement and education reform who "quit her day job" at a local poultry company in 1993 to open an affordable daycare and summer camp.

She was the first woman to own and operate a 24-hour day care facility in Bertie County from 1993-2009.

Inspired by her son's struggle with ADHD, she then expanded that effort by installing and administering technology community centers throughout Bertie County, serving over 100 students via an alternative school for young men in the 6th through 12th grades.

Saunders currently serves as engagement officer for "One Economy" -- a global non-profit organization that supplies digital technology like high speed Internet service to rural communities that would otherwise have no access.

She also chairs several boards serving community efforts on the local, national and international level. She has received numerous awards honoring her service.

Saunders dream is to own and operate centers across the country for homeless African American boys. She plans to name the centers: "Vivian's Hope."

"This down-to-earth individual believes in the saying, 'if you don't want the truth, don't ask me' because she tells it like she sees it," says nominator and BestWay Rent-To-Own owner Jonathan Rose. "She calls herself the "Realness of Bertie County" -- giving honest hard work and doing so with respect for her fellow man."

Barbara Rodgers, aka "Missionary Barbara" is a Rent One Customer from Caruthersville, Missouri who has made serving the community, especially through helping the disabled and disadvantaged, her mission in life.

In addition to her continued service as the Ward One City Council Member -- she has held the seat for five years -- she also shows an affinity for helping persons, especially children with disabilities.

Over the past 19 years, she has provided a home for more than 200 special needs foster children. She also volunteers as a referring agent for the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation which places disabled persons in employment situations. She is the chairperson for "Reaching to Touch" -- a group that collects used wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment to send to those in need.

Rodgers has also kept quite busy lately, as a case manager for the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency as the state deals with record flooding over the past month.

Rodgers also serves as chair of the Christmas in the Park project that provides gifts for 2,500 children in the bootheel of Missouri.

She spends the rest of her time as chair of the Heart of Heart Ministries which collects gently used clothing and furniture items and distributes them freely to the needy of the community.

"As the saying goes, 'When E.F. Hutton talks…people listen.' If there is a task that needs done or help is needed, then Barbara is your person," says nominator and Caruthersville Rent One Store Manager Derek Glass. "You will find no one more deserving of this award than Caruthersville's Barbara Rodgers. I am proud to nominate her."