Rent-A-Centers raising $$ for BBBS

From March 25 to April 23, Rent-A-Center customers get the chance to support children facing adversity in their local communities by taking part in the Rent-A-Center Spring Egg Fundraiser.  Employees are encouraging customers to donate a dollar in exchange for a colorful paper egg to display in the store to recognize their donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“For nine years, our customers and employees have joined together to support Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentoring programs,” said Mark Speese, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Rent-A-Center.  “Last year we hit a milestone, exceeding the $2 million mark and we look forward to continuing to raise that total on behalf of the kids and the communities where we do business.”

The annual egg event has raised more than $2.2 million in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ quality mentoring programs.  Funds from the campaign allow the donor-supported mentoring network to carefully match children with volunteer mentors, provide ongoing assistance for mentors, mentees and families and create long-term successful mentoring relationships. Rent-A-Center will match individual donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000, and guarantee a minimum donation of $250 to each of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ 370 local agencies.

“We appreciate Rent-A-Center’s ongoing commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters and our mentoring programs,” said Abby Balster, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize & Van Wert Counties. “The support of their customers and employees enables us to continue to provide quality mentoring services to the children of Mercer, Auglaize and Van Wert counties and ensure the positive outcomes for which Big Brothers Big Sisters is known.”

The nation’s leader in quality one-to-one youth mentoring services, Big Brothers Big Sisters holds itself accountable for and is able to measure specific youth outcomes, such as educational achievement, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher self-esteem, confidence and the ability to relate to others.

The Rent-A-Center Spring Egg Fundraiser comes as Big Brothers Big Sisters launches Start Something™, a national campaign that invites all people, not just volunteers, to get involved with the organization.

To locate the nearest Rent-A-Center and start something for Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit the company’s website at www.rentacenter.com. Area residents can also donate online at www.firstgiving.com/bbbsmac.