Rent-to-own News - Industry rallies for education; raises record breaking $50,000 for silent auction, scholarship fund

Bolstered by the support of state associations around the country, the rent-to-own industry will donate over $50,000 worth of cash and products to the cause of putting higher education opportunities in the hands of deserving students.

APRO President Larry Carrico.

The donation, which includes contributions from state associations, vendors, rental dealers, buying groups and APRO, will support the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Education Scholarship Fund. (See previous story)

The Congressional Black Caucus Spouses is a component of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF).

Cash donations will be made directly to the scholarship fund and "in-kind" merchandise contributions will go to the highest bidder in a silent auction June 22.

APRO is the exclusive sponsor of the CBCF silent auction and APRO President Larry Carrico will speak at the event.

This year's total bests the industry's previous annual silent auction efforts over the last 10 years and is a direct result of the growth and development of the state association as a powerful unifying industry entity over the last 25 years, according to Carrico.

"Since the beginning, APRO has always been intent on keeping our state associations educated, organized and involved," Carrico said. "We've always kept the focus on giving back to the communities we serve and now we've taken that to another level."

"Tiger" John Cleek, chair of APRO's state association coordination committee, said this year's silent auction commitment is a valuable reminder of how far the industry has come since former APRO President Gary McDougal initiated the partnership with the CBCF 10 years ago.

Back then, contributions were usually solicited from associated RTO vendors and a handful of larger dealers. The fact that 18 states have anted up the majority of this year's contribution is significant, Cleek said.  

"Tiger" John Cleek, APRO state association committee chair.

"This shows the strength of our state associations and is another example of how the rent-to-own industry is committed to giving back to our communities," Cleek said. "The state associations have come to grips with the need to show the value of the industry through community involvement."

Genette Comfort, director of resource development for the CBCF, said event organizers are excited by the rent-to-own industry's level of contribution this year -- an amount that exceeds last year's record-breaking commitment by around $20,000.

"This shows APRO is a good community partner," Comfort said. "In addition to filling a market need in the community, it shows they take interest in positive community initiatives like ours."

Comfort said the CBCF hopes to award six fully paid scholarships to deserving students this year.

Since 1988, the CBCF has awarded more than $9 million in scholarships through the spouses education scholarship fund.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Donation Levels:

Diamond Level $3,000

Missouri Rental Dealers Association
Illinois Rental Dealers Association
Tennessee Rental Dealers Association
TRIB/AVB-Brand Source
Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership
APRO
ArchBrook Laguna
Rent-A-Center (Two diamond sponsorships)

Platinum Level $2,000

Kentucky Rental Dealers Association
Florida Rental Dealers Association
Rental Purchase Dealers Association of Indiana

Gold Level $1,000

Northwest Rental Dealers Association (Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana)
Pennsylvania Association of Rental Dealers
New York State Rental Dealers Association
Louisiana Rental Dealers Association
Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association
Texas Association of Rental Dealers
Ohio Rental Dealers Association
ColorTyme

Bronze Level $500

West Virginia Rental Dealers Association
Association of Iowa Rental Dealers
Rent-N-Roll LLC, dba RNR Custom Wheels and Tires

mevans@rtohq.org