ATLANTA, May 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --In a partnership to
empower teens in Los Angeles,
Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a lease-to-own retailer specializing in
the sales and lease ownership of furniture, consumer electronics,
home appliances and accessories, teamed up with Boys & Girls
Clubs of America (BGCA) to remodel the Keystone Club teen center at
the Port of L.A. in Los Angeles.
The makeover, which includes a lounge area, a game area and a
college-themed study room, was unveiled last Friday and attended by
more than 100 teens who are members of the Port of L.A. Keystone
Club and visitors. Aaron's associates from area stores and Boys
& Girls Clubs officials were in attendance.
Last year, Aaron's Foundation, Inc. announced a $1 million national partnership with Boys &
Girls Clubs of America's Keystone Program, which empowers teens to
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 Port of L.A. Boys & Girls Club includes an
additional in-kind retail donation valued at $32,000.
"We are proud to continue our partnership with Boys & Girls
Clubs of America Keystone Club program with this makeover in
Los Angeles," said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc. "There are
80 teens who attend this Club daily and this makeover will energize
their efforts to invite more teens to participate in leadership
development opportunities."
The Port of L.A. Club, which opened in 2002 in San Pedro near a public housing community,
includes a gym, high school center, music education studio, fine
arts center and separate game area for youth in grades 4-8. After
getting input from teens on what they wanted in a refurbished
Keystone Club, Aaron's associates and BGCA members went to work
last Wednesday painting, decorating and furnishing the Club. The
teens designed the space to include separate spaces for games,
study and meetings, with Aaron's contributing new electronics,
furniture, wall art and paint.
"In a matter of days, Aaron's helped us transform an outdated
and underutilized space into a fantastic-looking, functional
Keystone Club that our teens can be proud of for years to come,"
said Hilda Chacon, director of Port
of L.A. Boys & Girls Club. "Our partnership with Aaron's has
provided not only a great space for our teens, but also a great
lesson for them on the importance of giving back to the
community."
Aaron's hopes its 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.
About Aaron's, Inc.
Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a
leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of
furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories,
currently has more than 2,100 Company-operated and franchised
stores in 48 states and Canada.
Aaron's was founded in 1955, is headquartered in Atlanta and has been publicly traded since
1982. Progressive Leasing, a wholly-owned subsidiary and leading
virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions
through approximately 15,000 retail locations in 46 states.
Aaron's, Inc. includes the Aarons.com, ShopHomeSmart.com and
ProgLeasing.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, 57 percent said the Club
saved their lives. National headquarters are located in
Atlanta. Learn more
at http://bgca.org/facebook
and http://bgca.org/twitter.
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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.