Store managers from 2,000 Aaron’s location gathered in Washington, D.C., for their annual meeting and to participatein a wide range of unique community outreach efforts.
The giving efforts kicked off with a donation event in which Aaron's donated furniture to 28 apartments for families who have experienced homelessness. This effort supports Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser's (pictured above) efforts to ensure safe, dignified housing for all Washingtonians and end homelessness in the District of Columbia.
"Aaron's believes that caring starts with respect -- this is one of our Company's guiding principles," said John Robinson, Aaron's CEO. "We respect the struggles that many families have today as they try to provide for their children and create a safe and stable home environment. We believe we are making a difference by giving back to these families and neighborhoods here in D.C. this week, and across the country throughout the year through our Aaron's Gives programs."
Through Aaron's Gives programs, which include the Aaron's Foundation, Inc. and Aaron's Community Outreach Programs, Aaron's gave $2.8 million to communities across the nation in 2015. The efforts by Aaron's associates at the annual National Managers Meeting highlights a week of service by the company to D.C.-area communities in need. More than 2,000 Aaron's store managers will participate in several community outreach activities while in the nation's capital, making this the eighth year in a row that Aaron's associates will transform the annual Aaron's National Managers Meeting into a city-wide giving initiative.
Aaron's associates will fan out this week across D.C., where they will:
Partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to refurbish three Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. These clean-up projects are an outgrowth of Aaron's 3-year, $5 million commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America that began last year. The makeovers will include painting, installing furniture, appliances, TVs, sound and gaming systems, mulching and repairing fences to provide safe and welcoming spaces for D.C.-area youth.
Raise money for the Fisher House Foundation, which provides housing at no cost for military families whose loved ones are receiving treatment, and Stillbrave Childhood Cancer Foundation, which provides non-medical, supportive care to children with cancer, and their families.
Donate blood to INOVA Blood Donor Services.
Register for Be the Match, the national bone marrow donor program.
Provide a scholarship to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to students who demonstrate leadership ability through exemplary community service and academic talent.
Additionally, Aaron's will attempt on Tuesday to break the Guinness World Record for the "Largest Human Mattress Dominoes" by toppling 1,200 mattresses. The current record is 1,150. Once the record is shattered, all 1,200 mattresses will be donated to A Wider Circle, an organization focused on ending individual and family poverty, and to the Sasha Bruce and Wanda Alston youth homeless shelters.
To see photos of Aaron's Gives programs that highlight the efforts of Aaron's associates who are giving back throughout the year, visit AaronsGives.com.