Press Releases

FIRST NYSRDA LOBBY DAY

On Tuesday, June 9, 2009, eighteen members of the New York Rental Dealers Association visited fifty-five members and/or staff of the New York State Legislature in Albany.  With the turmoil in the New York State Senate on Monday, we knew our pending bills would be low on the list of priorities for legislators.  Despite that, we decided to keep all of our meetings and not postpone our first coordinated lobby day in Albany.

At the meetings, we expressed our concerns about the future viability of the
rent-to-own industry in New York State if any of the proposed bills were to pass the Legislature.  Despite some different viewpoints, the meetings were polite and cordial.

Overall, it was a positive day.  We were able to educate members and staff who were generally unfamiliar with our industry as well as provide reasons to oppose the current legislation proposed in the Assembly and Senate.

We certainly achieved one of our goals, which was to personalize the industry by pairing legislators with industry representatives and store owners who are constituents.  Building these relationships is a vital component in the legislative process.

I want to thank all of those who participated to make the day so successful.  If you were unable to attend this year, we hope you can participate next year.  Our goal is to conduct an annual Lobby Day in Albany for our association.

March 30, 2009

RENT-A-CENTER WORKS WITH ONEIDA COUNTY
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Furniture donated to help furnish a new home

ONEIDA, NY (March 30, 2009) -- Oneida County Habitat for Humanity received some help from the local Rent-A-Center store in Oneida for one of their most recent home building projects.

The Clark family of four began moving into their new home Deansboro, NY, in early March and was hoping for some new furnishings to complete their move.  Rent-A-Center was able to help Habitat for Humanity put the finishing touches on the home by donating furniture to include a living room set with tables and lamps, a seven-piece dining room set, and a bedroom set with a new mattress for the daughter’s room.

“We’re happy to work with Habitat for Humanity, an organization known for helping families in our community,” said Bill Monnat, Regional Director for Rent-A-Center.  “Every day we help people with multiple needs, but perhaps with limited resources, to build a better life for themselves and their communities.  We are pleased that Habitat thought of us and proud to have been able to have been involved in making a family’s new house a home.”

Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII), headquartered in Plano, Texas, operates more than 3,000 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada with a focus on home furnishings and financial services.  The Company employs more than 18,900 coworkers.

Pictured from left to right are Kevin French, Rent-A-Center co-worker,
the Clark family and Jackson Sterle, Rent-A-Center store manager.

January 1, 2009

Two Aaron’s stores help New Yorkers in need this holiday season

There are families in need in every community, but this season, Aaron’s stores made the holidays brighter for two families who were experiencing difficulties.

The Aaron’s store in Plattsburgh helped Brenda and Paul Ero, a family who lost their home in a fire on Thanksgiving Day.  They were overwhelmed when the store donated a seven-piece living room set to the family.  Additionally, the store provided a $500 gift card to help the family replace Christmas gifts that had been purchased that were also destroyed in the fire.

Video link here http://www.wptz.com/video/18321337/index.html

After hearing about the struggles Joshua Standard and Melissa Hines were having, general manager Ryan Fleming and his staff gave them a Christmas surprise they won’t forget.  The couple was facing financial difficulties which led them to contemplate returning the mattress and box spring merchandise to Aaron’s.  And they wouldn’t be able to afford a tree or presents this year.  That was when the store stepped in and surprised the family by paying off their mattress and box spring and providing a Christmas tree and decorations.  Additionally, the family received a $250 gift card to Target so they could buy presents for Christmas.  A memorable Christmas for all involved!

October 22, 2008

NEW YORK STATE RENTAL DEALERS ASSOCIATION
MAKES DONATION TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW YORK
Rent-to-Own Stores Across New York State raise $26,000

(SCHENECTADY)  The New York State Rental Dealers Association donated close to $26,000 to Special Olympics New York at a recent check presentation ceremony for officials of the non-profit organization, also announcing plans to conduct the fundraising campaign again in 2009. The Association adopted Special Olympics this summer as the organization its member stores would fundraise for through a Sponsor-an-Athlete campaign in an effort to give back to the communities in which they do business. 

“Our members are proud supporters of the Special Olympics New York ‘Sponsor an Athlete’ program,” said Dave Edwards, President of the New York State Rental Dealers Association.  “This donation of almost $26,000 was made possible by the work of our Association’s more than 220 rent-to-own stores and their staffs.  Supporting Special Olympics New York reaches our staffs and customers, as we all know someone who is challenged by disabilities.  We are thrilled to help an organization that makes a difference in peoples’ lives every day.”

“Special Olympics New York is a tremendous organization that helps so many people achieve amazing things,” said Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito (D/WF-Rome), who was present at the check presentation. “Many non-profit groups that assist members of our communities survive on contributions such as this and I’m happy to see such a worthy cause receiving this donation. I am pleased that the New York State Dealers Association has shown their support for Special Olympics in this impressive way, and I would encourage other associations and businesses to support and get involved with their communities’ non-profits.”

For the Sponsor an Athlete program, store customers donated $1, $3, $5 or more from August through September and received a paper “olympic torch” icon, yellow with a blazing red flame, on which they wrote their name and had posted on the wall in the store.  Stores tracked the donations and the results were posted online at www.specialolympicsny.org  for all to see, encouraging friendly competition among members to see who could raise the most money.

“The rent-to-own stores exceeded our expectations through the employees’ impressive dedication to this fundraising campaign,” said Neal J. Johnson, President and CEO of Special Olympics New York.  “Our staff personally visited many of the stores and found walls full of brightly colored olympic torches, illustrating the terrific statewide support of our training and competition programs by the community residents where the stores are located. We can’t thank the New York State Rental Dealers Association and their customers enough for the significant contribution they’ve made on behalf of our more than 46,000 athletes around the state.”

Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical
fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, Special
Olympics athletes and the community. Through their participation in Special Olympics New York athletes gain confidence and build a positive self-image, which carries into the classroom, the home, the workplace and the community.

Special Olympics New York is the largest program of its type in the U.S.  Headquartered in Schenectady with regional offices in Long Island, New York City, Hudson Valley, Central, and Genesee,  Special Olympics New York is a privately funded not-for-profit 501(c)3 agency that raises its operating budget mainly through the support and generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations. Special Olympics New York does not charge its athletes or their families to participate. Consequently, all moneys spent for athletes, coaches, competitions and volunteers must be raised through fund-raising activities.

Kayla McKeon, Special Olympic Athlete, addressing the association members at the NYSRDA annual meeting

from left to right:  NYSRDA President Dave Edwards, Special Olympics athletes John Renzi and Lisa Maestri, Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, NYSRDA Secretary/Treasurer Greg Heck, NYSRDA Board Member and Chair of the Public Relations Committee Cathy Skula, Special Olympics athlete Kayla McKeon and SONY Director of Development Susan MacBryde

NYSRDA Annual Meeting Recap

The NYSRDA held its annual meeting in October and drew about nearly 60 delegates to the day-long meeting.  The meeting consisted of typical financial, membership and lobbyist updates and was peppered with vendor information and safety presentations.

"We had a very good turnout," said Dave Edwards, APRO President. "The group just gets more and more cohesive as time goes on."

A highlight of the day was the presentation of $26,000 in fundraising proceeds to Special Olympics New York.  Several Special Olympics athletes, coaches, and officials were on hand to accept the check. 

The association was also able to have New York Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito attend the check presentation.  Destito, who represents New York's 116th Assembly District, was instrumental in keeping a rent-to-own price control bill from coming to an Assembly floor vote this June.  She addressed association members, reaffirmed her support for small business, and answered questions.

The next NYSRDA meeting is being planned for May 2009.

Greg Heck introduces NY Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, who spoke at the meeting regarding her support of small businesses.

Attendees at NYSRDA’s annual meeting.

March 7, 2008

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS BENEFITS FROM RENT-A-CENTER FUNDRAISER. DONATIONS GO TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

PLANO, TEXAS - Rent-A-Center is raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBSA) at its 3,000 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico. Customers and area residents can donate one dollar and sign a colorful paper egg in any Rent-A-Center store until March 22. Money raised at each store will go back to the closest BBBS agency.

“Our company has had a yearly campaign for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2003,” said Mark Speese, chairman and CEO of Rent-A-Center. “It has proven to be popular with our co-workers and the communities we serve. The stores get very competitive with one another to see which one can raise the most money, and local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies benefit.”

Contributions collected by Rent-A-Center stores are matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000 by the company. Since the fund-raising program began, Rent-A-Center has given the maximum $100,000 match each year and has donated $1.25 million dollars. Some Rent-A-Center stores will be hosting BBBSA affiliates that will give out information about the program. Call your local Rent-A-Center for more details.

Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII), headquartered in Plano, Texas, operates more than 3,000 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada with a focus on home furnishings and financial services. The company employs approximately 20,800 co-workers. For more information about Rent-A-Center, visit www.rentacenter.com.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, BigBrothersBigSisters.org, is the largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. With more than 400 affiliates across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam, it served 242,000 children in 2006 – more than twice the number of five years ago. Visit the BBBSA Web site at www.bbbsa.org to learn more about the organization.

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Queensbury store manager: Richard McAda

Queensbury staff from left to right: Amy Woodford, Amber Patnode, store manager Richard McAda, district manager Art Troisi

Plattsburgh Store from left to right: Store manager Michael Johnson and co-worker Eric O'Connell

Newburgh Staff photo from left to right: Store Manager Rob Tajildeen, Carlos Yambay, Scott Coultas, David Torres, Crystal Viera, Bryan Nicalek

October 4, 2007

RENT-A-CENTER PROVIDES A HAPPY ENDING FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BUFFALO, LASALLE COURTS SITE IN CITY OF BUFFALO

Club was victimized by thieves who stole and destroyed all of the furnishings; anonymous donor contributes security system

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – In a highly publicized crime in which all of the furnishings in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, LaSalle Courts Site were either stolen or destroyed, Club members and Board officials today unveiled brand new furnishing donated by Plano, TX based Rent-A-Center. The total value of the furnishings which included furniture and home entertainment equipment was in excess of $12,000. In addition, an anonymous donor contributed a state of the art security system to protect the Club from a similar incident occurring again.

“Just a few weeks ago this Clubhouse was in full disrepair and here we are today unveiling and celebrating what is essentially a brand new Club for our kids,” Michael Beecher Jr., president, Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo said. “On behalf of the teens who utilize this facility as well as the Board Members and Staff, we are extremely grateful to the generosity displayed by Rent-A-Center. As soon as the Rent-A-Center officials learned about what happened to this facility they responded in a fashion that was inspirational.”

“It’s always wonderful to see a company give back to the people it serves in the community, but in this instance it was especially gratifying to see how quickly Rent-A-Center responded in replacing the stolen and destroyed furnishings in the Club,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said. “The City, through the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority,has a long history with the LaSalle Courts Site and now the space that we provide the Club with, will have the amenities to enhance a positive and nurturing atmosphere for teens throughout the neighborhood.”

“We help upgrade about 20 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country each year, but this is very different,” said Chris Korst, senior vice president and general counsel for Rent-A-Center. “These Clubs mean so much to the kids who come through their doors. It was absolutely critical to get the LaSalle Courts Site up and running again so that all that was damaged was simply the things that we’re able to help replace. Not the hopes and dreams that are nurtured inside every day. We’re humbled to play a small role in making that happen.”

The merchandise and furnishings donated by Rent-A-Center to the LaSalle Courts Site included sofas and chairs, seven computers and computer desks, a printer, an entertainment center, a television, DVD and VCR player, a stereo and a gaming system. Over the next four years, Rent-A-Center will create 80 new RAC Rooms around the country adding to the 33 RAC Rooms the company has already furnished, including a RAC Teen Room recently dedicated at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns.

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ABOUT RENT-A-CENTER
Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII), headquartered in Plano, Texas, operates more than 3,300 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada with a focus on furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. The company employs more than 20,000 coworkers nationwide.

Christopher A. Korst, left, Rent-A-Cent senior vice president addresses those in attendance at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo’s LaSalle Courts re-opening in which Rent-A-Cent donated more than $12,000 worth of computers, home furnishings and electronics to replace the things that were stolen or destroyed during a break-in in August.  The company also made a $1,000 donation to help cover any additional costs to help the Clubhouse re-open.

Christopher A. Korst, left, Rent-A-Cent senior vice president, and Otis Barker Sr., executive director of the city ’s Division of Youth, watch Damone McNamee try out the new video equipment Rent-A-Center donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo’s LaSalle Courts site on Blum Street.  The company donated $12,000 worth of furnishings and electronics to replace things that were stolen or destroyed during a break-in in August.

September 14, 2007

NEW YORK STATE RENTAL DEALERS ASSOCIATION DONATE COMPUTERS TO TREY WHITFIELD FOUNDATION

12 computers valued at over $13,000

Janie Whitfield will accept a donation of twelve computers, valued at over $13,000, from members of the New York Rental Dealers Association. The Association worked together to provide the generous donation of laptop and desktop systems to the Trey Whitfield Foundation. Congressman Towns and his wife, Gwendolyn, will attend the presentation, in support of the Foundation, which his late mother, Versey B. Towns, was a founding member.

The computers will be allocated to three learning centers which are the Trey Whitfield School, the Versey B. Towns Computer Center in the Brownsville Recreation Center, and the New Grace Center. Those three locations receive support from the Trey Whitfield Foundation, working to ensure that the community’s youth have equal access to the technology and educational opportunities that are needed to reach their fullest potential in life. This supports the mission of the Foundation that every child will have a helping hand and every young person will get support from someone who cares about their future.

Deidre Towns, Director of the Versie B. Towns Foundation, David Edwards, President of the New York State Rental Dealers Association, and Representatives from the New York State Rental Dealers Association present the computers to the New Grace Center.
David Edwards, President of the New York State Rental Dealers Association, Greg Jackson, Director of the Brownsville Recreation Center, and Deirdre Towns, Director of the Versie B. Towns Foundation, with members of the community at the presentation of donated computers to the Versie B. Towns Computer Center that is used by adults and students alike.		Janie Whitney, founder of the Trey Whitfield Foundation, and Congressman Towns, representing the 10th Congressional District of Brooklyn, with students at the Trey Whitfield School in Brooklyn where the first presentation of two desktop and two laptop computers was made on Monday, September 17th.

August 28, 2007

RENT-A-CENTER MAKES CHILD SAFETY EDUCATION A PRIORITY THROUGH KIDCARE PROGRAM ON SATURDAY

Free program is endorsed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – With more than 1 million children reported missing each year nationally, and over 21,600 reports of missing children in New York State last year alone, Rent-A-Center is trying to make a difference by sponsoring a KidCare Identification Event on Saturday, September 1 from 12 pm to 4 pm. at selected stores in the following NY locations: Albany, Queensbury, Granville, Troy, Kingston, Newburgh, Saratoga Springs, Saranac Lake, and Plattsburgh. Stores in North Adams, MA and Pittsfield, MA are also taking part in the KidCare event.

Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the Rent-A-Center store to receive a free KidCare Identification kit, which includes a color photograph and a physical description and medical information about their child as well as emergency contact information. Endorsed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the KidCare Identification project is designed to educate families about child safety and to provide parents with personal safety documents and current, instant photos of their children. KidCare ID kits are one of the most critical safety tools police can use to help locate missing children.

“Rent-A-Center has a strong commitment to the communities in which it does business,” said Rent-A-Center regional director Cathy Skula. “We are offering this program to Albany-area parents as one source of descriptive information should their child ever go missing. It gives the police a ready tool to help them return missing children to their parents in the horrific event they are lost or abducted -- KidCare can make a real difference in a child’s life.”

The KidCare Program was designed with the input of law enforcement officials to provide all the information necessary to expedite missing children investigations. Photos are the most useful tools in missing children investigations, but typical family snapshots are often not formatted for distribution or optimal for police investigation.

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ABOUT RENT-A-CENTER
Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII), headquartered in Plano, Texas, operates more than 3,300 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada with a focus on furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. The company employs more than 20,000 coworkers nationwide.

August 14, 2007

SEI/AARON’S, INC., MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK RENTAL DEALERS ASSOCIATION, MAKES DONATION TO GENESEE CHAPTER OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Donation made through Aaron’s Community Outreach Program

PITTSFORD, NEW YORK – Officials from SEI/Aaron’s and the New York State Rental Dealers Association recently made a $500 donation to the Genesee Chapter of the Special Olympics New York.  The donation was made through ACORP (Aaron’s Community Outreach Program).

“SEI/Aaron’s and the New York State Rental Dealers Association are proud to support Special Olympics New York,” Dave Edwards, President and Chief Operating Office of SEI/Aaron’s and President of the rental dealers association said.  “It is our hope that this is just the beginning of developing a long term relationship with an organization that does so much to enhance the lives of so many throughout our great state.”

“We are extremely grateful to Aarons and the members of the New York State Rental Dealers Association for their kind generosity to our athletes,” Laurie Kennedy, Regional Director of the Genesee Region said.  “We are hopeful that this is just the beginning of a long term mutually beneficial relationship for both of our organizations.”

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, SEI/Aaron’s was founded in 1995 and currently operates 54 stores in seven states, including 19 stores in New York with two stores in the City of Rochester.  In both 2001 and 2002 SEI/Aaron’s was selected by Inc Magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing companies in America.

Founded in 2000, the New York State Rental Dealers Association (NYSRDA) represents over 250 rent-to-own stores with nearly 1,500 employees operating in New York. NYSRDA, the statewide advocate for rent-to-own companies, is committed to promoting and maintaining a competitive industry for our members across the Empire State.

The Special Olympics was organized in the state of New York in 1969. Today, Special Olympics New York is the largest program of its type in the United States, serving nearly 40,000 athletes with the support of over 25,000 volunteers. Special Olympics New York is headquartered in Schenectady with regional offices in Long Island, New York City, Hudson Valley, Central, and Genesee.

From left to right: Laurie Kennedy (Regional Director Genesee Region Special Olympics), Lisa Best (Director of Development Genesee Region Special Olympics), Dave Edwards(SEI/Aaron’s, Inc. President and COO, President NYRDA), Tennyson Cox (SEI/Aaron’s, Inc. Director of Operational Support), and Robert Barnes (SEI/Aaron’s, Inc. Director of Western Operations, NYRDA board member).

August 14, 2007

AARON’S AND NEW YORK STATE RENTAL DEALERS PARTICIPATE IN CARLY’S CLUB SUMMER BOOK READING PROGRAM AT ROSWELL PARK

Aaron’s “Lucky the Dog” helps bring smiles to children with cancer

BUFFALO, NY – Representatives from Aaron’s and the New York State Rental Dealers Association recently spent some time reading popular books to children with Carly’s Club as part of the Club’s annual summer reading program.  Aaron’s also made a donation of $1,000 to Carly’s Club in the organization’s ongoing efforts of making life more manageable for children diagnosed with cancer and their families as well as in support of pediatric cancer research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  Joining the Aaron’s representatives was “Lucky”, the company’s larger than life dog mascot, who interacted with the children and presented them each with a Lucky Dog stuffed animal.

“Carly’s Club is a remarkable organization and we are proud to support such extraordinary children,” said Dave Edwards, president and chief operating office of SEI/Aaron’s and president of the New York State Rental Dealers Association. “We admire the amazing courage displayed by these children in their fight against cancer.”

The summer book club is an annual activity that takes place each Friday in August for Carly’s Club members and their siblings to celebrate the art of reading. The reading sessions are hosted by Carly’s Club alumnae who are pediatric cancer survivors.

"We are so grateful to Aaron's and the New York State Rental Dealers Association for their generous support of our summer book club," said Chuck Collard, a volunteer with the Roswell Park Alliance, who co-founded Carly’s Club with his daughter, Carly Collard Cottone, who succumbed to cancer in 2002. "Donations make an immeasurable difference both in bringing smiles to the children and in helping speed the pace of research to find cures.”

Founded in 2000, the New York State Rental Dealers Association (NYSRDA) represents over 250 rent-to-own stores with nearly 1,500 employees operating in New York. NYSRDA, the statewide advocate for rent-to-own companies, is committed to promoting and maintaining a competitive industry for our members across the Empire State.

Aaron Rents, Inc., based in Atlanta, currently has more than 1,380 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada for the rental and sale of residential and office furniture, accessories, consumer electronics and household appliances. The Company also manufactures furniture, bedding and accessories at 13 facilities in five states.

From left to right: Aaron's representatives Dave Phillips, Robert Barnes, Lucky Dog, Robin Hace (Carly’s Club Team Cure Coordinator) and Dave Edwards, president and chief operating office of SEI/Aaron's and president of the New York State Rental Dealers Association.