Kids Who Don’t Have Beds Get Sleepover at Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA, Take Home 80 Twin Sets
There they were, 80 beds, lined up in the gymnasium each perfectly outfitted with pillows, sheets and comforter. On March 4, 2017, 80 deserving area K-5 children and their families took part in a huge slumber party at the Sterling – Rock Falls, Illinois YMCA. They played games, enjoyed great food, went swimming and watched a movie before falling asleep on a brand new bed. At the end of the night they were told they get to keep the beds, too. None of these children had a bed at home to sleep in, but now, thanks to Watershed Development Corporation and its local business and community partners they are in for some sweet slumber.
Watershed, which operates an Aaron’s franchise store in Sterling, the Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA, Candlelight Inn, and the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, collaborated with schools in Sterling, Rock Falls and Morrison, to identify deserving K-5 students without a bed. Mike Ceruzzi, Sterling resident and Watershed vice president, stated, “this small idea has grown into a great collaboration with partners who understand there is a need in this community and are willing to take action to address it. “We are pleased and excited to be a part of it.”
YMCA Partners L to R; Matt Prescott, Mike Ceruzzi, Kris Noble, Scott Wallingford, Andy Thornton.
Sunday morning the kids were treated to breakfast before they went home. Then Watershed’s associates rallied its fleet of trucks and delivered the beds to their new homes. Casey Pristou, Watershed’s President related, “My son, Derek, and I delivered beds to a number of homes Sunday morning. I realized just how special the effort was during our very first delivery. As we approached the house we heard a young girl’s voice from inside screaming with excitement ‘mommy, mommy, my new bed is here!’”
“Beds might not be the first things that come to mind when you think of the basics some families need.
“Many times we can the take the simple things in life for granted,” YMCA CEO Andy Thornton said. “Something as simple as a bed with sheets and a blanket are easy to underappreciate. A project like this helps you evaluate your own life and the things that really matter.” Ceruzzi added, “Without doubt this is among the most meaningful events we have ever done. We are grateful for the opportunity to help.”
Click here to view more photos of the event.About Watershed Development Corporation
Watershed owns and operates Aaron’s (NYSE – AAN) stores throughout Northern Illinois and Iowa. Aaron’s is a leading rent-to-own company with more than 2,000 company and franchise stores throughout North America. Watershed, a franchise operator since 2004, has earned the distinction of being an Aaron’s Top 5 Performing Franchise Operator multiple times since its inception and has been recognized as Aaron’s 2016 Franchise of the Year.
Mike Lewis is a Premier Rental Purchase franchisee with multiple stores and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. With 33 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, he has spent the past 20 years working closely with franchisee owners and previously spent 12 years in Corporate RTO, gaining a strong foundation in the business.
For the past five years, Mike has been sharing his knowledge by teaching managers and franchisees at the company’s Training Center.
Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, kids, and grandkids, and appreciates the simple things in life – especially riding his Harley Davidson with the sun on his face. If you know, you know!
Lauren Talicska
Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials
Lauren Talicska is an experienced multi-channel marketing specialist and the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Arona Home Essentials. She has found her home in the RTO community, supporting stores in branding, growth, and increasing traffic.
You may recognize Lauren as a former RTO vendor, including her time as a partner for Nationwide RentDirect, or her previous participation in the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee. Lauren calls Columbus, Ohio, home and spends her workday crafting and executing marketing promotions from inception to realization, all while supporting the branding and social media needs of all the Arona stores in 12 states (plus Puerto Rico!).
Charles Smitherman
APRO
Charles Smitherman, JD, PhD, CAE, became CEO of APRO in 2023, bringing years of legal and executive experience in the rent-to-own industry.
Prior to joining the association, Charles served as COO, General Counsel, and Vice President of PTS Financial Services, where he played an active role in the rent-to-own industry by representing his company through PTS’s club program offering with APRO member dealers. Charles is an attorney with two decades of experience across a wide variety of areas, including RTO, consumer financial services, antitrust, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, franchise law, and privacy law. Following law school at the University of Georgia, Charles earned a Master of Legal Studies and PhD in Law from the University of Oxford in England.
Charles is credentialed as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. As APRO’s sixth CEO in its 45-year history, he brings a collaborative, member-focused approach to association leadership, emphasizing transparency, advocacy, and value creation. Outside of work, Charles is an active ultra runner and open water swimmer.
Mike Kays
Ashley Furniture Industries
As VP of Rental Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, Mike thrives on building relationships with our RTO industry veterans, and helping businesses grow through new product, new marketing, and new supply chain options.
Mike works to leverage a wide breadth of relationships and influence, intimate knowledge of market trends, and unique knowledge of what RTO dealers need from a supplier to be successful.
The saying goes that a high tide raises all boats, and our goal is to leverage the world’s largest furniture manufacturer to drive the continued growth of the RTO industry and all the suppliers.
Mike Tissot
Countryside Rentals Inc., dba Rent-2-Own
Mike grew up in the rent-to-own industry under the guidance of his father, former APRO President and RTO legend Darrell Tissot. For nearly 25 years, Mike’s innovative leadership has helped expand the family business to more than 40 stores across Ohio and Kentucky while also shaping the industry as a whole.
He has served as President of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association, an APRO board member and Treasurer, and President and Treasurer of the TRIB Group. His contributions have earned him the APRO President’s Award of Excellence and the title of APRO Rental Dealer of the Year.
Outside of RTO, Mike enjoys time at the lake house or in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his girlfriend, Angela Strong McCool. A passionate Cincinnati Reds fan, he rarely misses a game, whether watching or listening alongside his parents. He also takes every opportunity to visit Arizona, where his daughter is currently attending Arizona State University.
There they were, 80 beds, lined up in the gymnasium each perfectly outfitted with pillows, sheets and comforter. On March 4, 2017, 80 deserving area K-5 children and their families took part in a huge slumber party at the Sterling – Rock Falls, Illinois YMCA. They played games, enjoyed great food, went swimming and watched a movie before falling asleep on a brand new bed. At the end of the night they were told they get to keep the beds, too. None of these children had a bed at home to sleep in, but now, thanks to Watershed Development Corporation and its local business and community partners they are in for some sweet slumber.
Watershed, which operates an Aaron’s franchise store in Sterling, the Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA, Candlelight Inn, and the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, collaborated with schools in Sterling, Rock Falls and Morrison, to identify deserving K-5 students without a bed. Mike Ceruzzi, Sterling resident and Watershed vice president, stated, “this small idea has grown into a great collaboration with partners who understand there is a need in this community and are willing to take action to address it. “We are pleased and excited to be a part of it.”
