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Rent-to-Own Industry Leaders Donate Over $81,000 in Furniture and Home Goods Following National Conference

12 RTO World 2026 Exhibitors Donated Showroom Items to Support Local Nonprofits

APRO CEO Charles Smitherman (second from left) joins members of the Vita Nova team after RTO World 2026. Donated furniture, mattresses, appliances, and home goods will help Vita Nova support young adults transitioning out of homelessness and those aging out of the foster care system in Palm Beach County.

AUSTIN, Texas – Following RTO World 2026, the national conference and trade show for the rent-to-own industry, 12 exhibitors donated more than $81,000 in furniture, mattresses, appliances, and home goods displayed during the event to nonprofit organizations serving youth and young adults in Palm Beach County, Florida. The Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO), the national trade association for the rent-to-own industry, coordinated the donations following the Aug. 24-27, 2026, conference in West Palm Beach.

The donated items went to Vita Nova, a Palm Beach County nonprofit that helps young adults ages 18 to 25 transition from homelessness or foster care to stable, independent living, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, which provides safe, welcoming spaces and programs that help thousands of local children and teens learn, grow, and build skills for the future.

The effort was made possible in part through Aaron’s, one of the largest rent-to-own operators and longtime APRO member, which helped connect APRO with Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Aaron’s has a longstanding relationship with Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.

Discover The Palm Beaches, which encourages meetings and conventions to give back to the local community, also supported the initiative by providing on-site photography and videography to document the donations and their impact.

“RTO World brings together companies from across the rent-to-own industry, and we wanted to make sure that when we came to West Palm Beach, we left something meaningful behind,” said Charles Smitherman, CEO of APRO. “Our member brands stepped up with furniture, mattresses, appliances, and other products they were happy to donate, and we were able to connect those resources with local organizations that could put them to good use. It’s an incredible example of our industry coming together to make a positive impact in the communities that welcome us.”

The following companies contributed items collected at RTO World 2026:

  • Almo – 3 washing machines, 3 dryers, 1 washer/dryer stack, 5 refrigerators, 2 freezers, and 1 range
  • Ashley Furniture – 4 sectionals, 2 loveseats, 1 sofa, 3 queen bedroom sets, 3 mattresses, 4 dining sets, 1 desk, 1 TV stand, lamps, tables, rugs, and metal foundations
  • CordaRoy’s – 3 convertible bean bag beds
  • Corsicana – 4 queen mattresses and 5 bed frames
  • Global Furniture – 1 recliner, 1 sofa bed, 1 dining set, 2 sofas, 2 fireplace/speaker units, and 1 queen bedroom set
  • Jamison Bedding – 6 mattresses, including 3 queen and 3 twin
  • Living Essentials – 1 TV stand, 1 king bed and frame, 1 queen bed and mattress, 1 nightstand, 1 fireplace/TV stand, 1 banquette/fireplace, 1 lounger, 1 shelving/coffee table unit, and 1 recliner
  • Million Dollar Rustic – 1 fireplace, 1 farmhouse table, 4 stools, 1 pantry, and 1 nightstand
  • Nav-Air – 2 speakers
  • Simply Bunk Beds – 1 twin/twin loft bed, 1 twin/twin bunk bed with twin trundle, 1 twin captain’s bed, all with mattresses
  • Southerland – 8 queen mattresses, 6 queen frames, and 2 twin frames
  • Tempur Sealy International – 11 queen mattresses, 9 queen platform bases, and 2 queen boxsprings with frames

“This generous furniture donation means so much to Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and, most importantly, to the young people we serve,” said Erin Nicoloso, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. “These pieces will help us create welcoming, comfortable, and inspiring spaces where our Club members can learn, connect, and grow. Donations like this allow us to invest more of our resources directly into the programs and opportunities our kids deserve, and we are incredibly grateful for this meaningful donation!”

“Many of the young adults we serve arrive with just the clothes on their back and are moving into a place that may be empty or without reliable appliances or bedding,” said Gary Graham, Housing Supervisor of Vita Nova. “This donation helps them transition from the street to a house and turn that house into a home. It also means the thousands of dollars we would have spent finding mattresses, furniture, and appliances can instead go directly toward more leases, meals, and services that help get more young people off the streets.”

Furniture donated by RTO World 2026 exhibitors is wrapped, prepared, and loaded for delivery to local nonprofit organizations following the trade show in West Palm Beach, Florida. The items were part of more than $81,000 in furniture, mattresses, appliances, and home goods donated by 12 exhibitors. Photos courtesy of Discover The Palm Beaches.

In addition to its philanthropic efforts, APRO serves as a central resource for rent-to-own businesses seeking insights, education, and tools to strengthen operations and better serve consumers.

The U.S. rent-to-own industry generated approximately $11.8 billion in revenue in 2025, served more than 6.7 million households, and employed more than 34,000 Americans, according to APRO’s 2026 Rent-to-Own Industry Health Survey.

APRO’s work to strengthen the rent-to-own industry was recently recognized with a 2026 Power of Associations Silver Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the 2026 Association Impact Award from the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE). Both honors recognized APRO’s Generative Knowledge Initiative, which works to improve the accuracy, accessibility, and authority of rent-to-own information available online.

To learn more about APRO, visit www.rtohq.org or follow the organization on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.  

About APRO

The Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO), formerly Association of Progressive Rental Organizations, is the national trade association representing the rent-to-own (RTO) industry. Established in 1980 to advocate for and support the interests of RTO businesses, APRO provides its 330 member brands with essential resources, industry insights, and a strong community network. Through educational initiatives, legislative advocacy, and professional development opportunities, APRO strives to elevate the standards and success of the RTO sector, ensuring it continues to thrive and serve customers with integrity and excellence.

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Mike Lewis

Central Properties dba Premier Rental-Purchase

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.