Ace Hardware 2005 Annual Report Download - page 12

2005 ANNUAL REPORT NEW FRONTIERS. NEW OPPORTUNITIES. 11
In 2005, Ace continued lending
hammers, hearts and helping hands to
several charities, community relations
efforts and philanthropic causes.
The Ace Hardware Foundation, which
fundraises for Children’s Miracle Network
(CMN) and the American Red Cross, raised
an all-time high of $3.7 million in 2005 –
$700,000 more than the previous year.
Two of Ace’s largest CMN fundraisers included
the annual Ace Hardware/CMN Vendor Golf
Outing, the largest event of its kind in the
Chicago area, and the second-annual Ace
Hardware Tour de Kids ride, a nine-week,
4,300-mile cross-country fundraising bicycle
journey from Seattle to Boston. As a result of
generous pledge contributions, vendor support
and a steadfast commitment from the Ace team,
these two events combined raised more than
$1.2 million to support CMN’s 170 children’s
hospitals nationwide.
In addition to fundraising for CMN, the Ace
team supported several American Red Cross
campaigns, including the charity’s largest
disaster relief mobilization effort in history. Ace
retailers, team members and vendor partners
rallied to supply products and funding to victims
and relief workers of the tsunami disaster in
Asia, rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina
and several other natural disaster relief efforts.
Dozens of Ace stores were greatly impacted
by the hurricanes. From Hurricane Katrina
alone, 28 Ace stores were affected, and all but
three have since reopened in service to their
communities to help rebuild the region. The
Ace team rallied in support of these retailers
and made cash and product donations.
One of the most unique Hurricane Katrina
relief partnerships came in the form of a
Thanksgiving Day gift for one New Orleans-
area family. In partnership with the CBS
“Early Show” Week of Wishes series and the
contractor-based company Rent-a-Husband, a
special Ace team comprised of local retailers,
field staff and corporate employees cleaned,
renovated and repaired a family’s home that
suffered severe flooding in the aftermath of the
hurricane. After a week of patching, priming
and painting, the team transformed the home,
revealing it to the family on Thanksgiving Day,
fulfilling their wish to rebuild their home and
their lives.
In its third year of sponsorship with Little
League®Baseball, Ace recognized the good
works of others by presenting five individuals
with Ace “Helpful Hero” Awards. The
“heroes” were awarded two-minute shopping
sprees at their local Ace stores in addition to
a cash donation made to
the winner’s respective
league. One national
winner also received a
trip to the 2005 Little
League World Series and
was recognized for his
contributions on the
playing field before the
U.S. Championship game
in Williamsport, Pa.
Turning to neighbors
in need, Ace also gave
“facelifts” to several
community places through the Ace/Little
League “Fields for the Future” and Ace’s “New
Faces for Helpful Places” programs. Fourteen
community cornerstones, ranging from local
Boys & Girls Clubs and food banks to shelters
and ball fields, were each awarded $5,000
worth of Ace product, a team of volunteers
and “Helpful Hardware Man” Lou Manfredini’s
home improvement expertise.
Whether it’s a helping hand, heart or hammer
that’s needed to make a difference in the lives
of Ace’s customers and the communities in
which we do business, the Ace team is proud to
continue its tradition of bringing hope and help
to communities in need.
Through hurricane
relief efforts
and supporting
Children’s
Miracle Network,
Ace showed once again
it’s “the place”
for caring.