ATLANTA, March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- 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, revealed a freshly renovated Keystone Club to teen
members of the Mesquite Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas on Wednesday afternoon, one day
in advance of the 49th Annual National Keystone
Conference, one of the largest youth leadership conferences in the
U.S.
The Mesquite Club remodel leads up to the Thursday start of the
Keystone Conference with 2,500 teen leaders from 157 cities and
five countries gathering in Dallas
to tackle youth issues head-on. The 2016 Keystone Conference
is hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and presented
by Aaron's, Inc.
With input from the teen members, Aaron's associates and Club
officials went to work Monday morning at the Mesquite Club
painting, decorating and furnishing a media/multipurpose, kitchen,
computer lab and games room in the Club. On Wednesday, Aaron's
associates and Club officials unveiled the new center to the teen
members, equipped with new technology, kitchen appliances,
sectionals, tables and chairs, sound systems and fresh coats of
paint. Teens chose the special Sherwin-Williams™ paint colors
for the rooms, Gleeful, Fountain and Carnival, and Shaw Industries
donated the carpet.
"Aaron's is proud to continue our national partnership with the
kickoff of the annual Keystone Conference this week," said
John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc.
"The Keystone program inspires teens and fosters leadership skills
in young people who are changing the world. Aaron's is so
pleased to invest in this program, which prepares teens for
leadership, social action and community service around the
world."
Damaris Lewis, a Boys & Girls
Clubs alum, and professional model, host and dancer, attended the
surprise Club refresh unveiling. Lewis will speak at the
Keystone Conference this week, engaging young women and their
advisors in discussions around self-esteem, confidence, body image
and media influence.
"The Mesquite teens are so excited to show off the remodel as
they invite their peers to see the Club and encourage them to learn
more about what Boys & Girls Clubs can offer them," said
Edward Blackwell, Branch Director of
the Mesquite Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas. "Our Club serves a large
number of underserved youth in our community and Aaron's has shown
a great deal of generosity by giving our space needed improvements.
Our teens will look back on this experience for years to come as a
pivotal point in their teen leadership development."
In 2015, the Aaron's Foundation, Inc. announced a three-year,
$5 million national partnership with
Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Keystone Program, which helps
teens develop their character and leadership skills, and equips
them to reach their potential by creating positive change in the
community. Keystone Club teen centers provide members 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 Mesquite Boys &
Girls Club of Greater Dallas
includes an additional in-kind retail donation valued at
$25,000.
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 Mesquite Boys
& Girls Club of Greater
Dallas, visit www.facebook.com/aaronsinc.
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 2,000 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®, is offered through
over 1,400 locations and 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, ShopHomeSmart.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.
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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.