Aaron’s, Inc., a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, surprised teens last Friday with a newly renovated Keystone Teen Center at the Wattles Boys & Girls Club of Portland.
Through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and input from the teen members, Aaron’s associates and Club officials worked last Wednesday painting, decorating and furnishing a study, lounge and games area in a multipurpose space at the Club. On Friday, local Aaron’s associates and Club officials unveiled the new space, which is now equipped with new technology, sectionals, tables and chairs, sound systems and fresh coats of paint. Teens chose the special Sherwin-Williams™ paint colors for the rooms: Copen Blue; Pink Shadow; Peacock Plume; Pewter Tankard and Belvedere Cream.
“This is our 15th Keystone Club makeover and it’s always an honor for Aaron’s associates to work with the teens to redesign their space. Together we are creating inviting, exciting and safe places for them to learn and grow as leaders,” said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron’s, Inc. “These Clubs serve a vital purpose, preparing teens for college and beyond with leadership, social action and community service opportunities. Aaron’s is proud to continue its commitment to the Keystone Program with our Portland Club renovation.”
In 2015, the Aaron’s Foundation, Inc. announced a three-year, $5 million national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Keystone Program, helping teens develop their character and leadership skills in hopes of helping them reach their potential and creating positive change in the community. Keystone Club teen centers provide members ages 14-18 an environment to plan and participate in activities that focus on community service, academic success, career preparation and teen outreach. The Keystone Club makeover at the Wattles Boys & Girls Club of Portland includes an additional in-kind retail donation valued at $27,000.
“Our last renovation was over 15 years ago and it was clear to our staff, visitors and especially to our kids that our Club was in need of an update,” said Kelsey Kuhnhausen, Marketing & Communication Coordinator, at the Wattles Boys & Girls Club of Portland. “Aaron’s has gone above and beyond to make a great space for our teens so we can help these future leaders reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.”
Aaron’s partnership with BGCA’s Keystone Program inspires teens to “Own It” by taking ownership of their choices to build the lives they deserve. The Aaron’s and Keystone Club “Own Your Future” campaign supports three principles:
- Own Your Path: No matter where you come from, the future is yours to decide.
- Own Your Decisions: Making good choices opens more doors for your future.
- Own Your Community: Use your talents to make an impact in your community.
To see photos of the Keystone Club remodel at the Wattles Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland, visit Aaron’s on Facebook (
www.facebook.com/aaronsinc), on Twitter (
www.twitter.com/AaronsInc) and at
www.AaronsGives.com.
About Aaron’s, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN) is a leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, and currently has more than 1,930 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada. Progressive Leasing, a leading virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 16,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit products that are originated through a federally insured bank. Aaron’s was founded in 1955, has been publicly traded since 1982 and owns the Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com brands. For more information, visit
www.aarons.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (
GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at
www.facebook.com/bgca.clubs and
https://twitter.com/BGCA_Clubs.
