Rent-to-own News - RENT-2-OWN Stores balance success, conscience

It happened a week later than usual. But the number was 25 percent greater than what the boss, Mike Tissot, expected. And when he’s surprised, you know that’s a big number.

For the past several years, Bainbridge, Ohio-based Countryside Rentals’ RENT-2-OWN stores have selected a week in December during which a percentage of deliveries or growth in potential rent has been given to charitable causes.

This year, Tissot’s pledge was that 25 percent of the potential rent gain during the week leading right up to Christmas would be spread among four organizations important to him and the company.

“This is a very healthy donation to four of the best places I can think of that do some great work,” said Countryside President Michael Tissot.

What no one could have predicted was a week that turned out to be not only the most profitable in RENT-2-OWN history, but one that also resulted in the  company's largest ever charitable commitment.

Receiving organizations include:

1) SATH—Kamp Dovetail

"Supplementary Assistance to the Handicapped.  A great camp for developmentally disabled kids, at which many of our employees have volunteered over the past few years," Tissot said.

2) Butler Springs Christian Youth Camp

"They change lives there all summer long. Many employees sent their kids there last year, and many will do it this coming year.  What a safe and awesome place to draw nearer.  They too, are in need of support to help keep their mission alive."

3) St. Judes

"The world’s leading children’s research hospital. They are literally curing cancer. No one pays to go there, and medical research is not cheap."

4) Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals

"Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. This organization has also had a direct impact on the lives of some of our team members.”

Each of the 28 r2o store managers was asked to select one of these groups as the recipient of the cash equivalent of a quarter of their store’s potential rent gain.