Our Annual Giveaway was Fan-tastic!
It has been a scorcher of a summer with temperatures well into the 90s for weeks. Thanks to our community partner, Westlake Ace Hardware, we were able to bring some relief to those trying to beat the heat. Because of generous Westlake customers who rounded up their purchases in June, we were able to buy 149 fans to distribute to families in need.
Boys Team Charity volunteers helped us hand them out to Wake County residents at our Center of Hope on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh.
Westlake Ace Hardware has been partnering with The Salvation Army for the past 12 years and has coordinated the donation of thousands of fans nationwide. Alicia Weber, Director of Marketing at Westlake shared with us how the partnership started and why it matters.
What made Westlake Ace Hardware decide to become a partner with The Salvation Army for the annual Fan Giveaway?
Westlake Ace Hardware's annual Fan Drive began as a grassroots effort in one store in Hutchinson, Kansas. During an exceptionally hot summer, the store manager recognized the need for fans and collaborated with the local Salvation Army to collect donations from customers. The success of this local initiative caught the attention of Westlake Ace's corporate team. They realized that the Fan Drive aligned perfectly with their corporate values and mission of being "The Helpful Place."
In 2012, Westlake Ace decided to expand the Fan Drive nationwide in partnership with The Salvation Army. Today, this program spans 145 stores across the country, from major metropolitan areas to rural communities. The Salvation Army has been an invaluable, consistent partner, helping us distribute fans to those in need within the communities we serve. Since its inception, Westlake Ace and The Salvation Army have distributed over 65,000 fans.
Since beginning the Fan Drive in Raleigh and Chapel Hill in 2020, over 900 fans have been distributed in North Carolina.
How do you think this program benefits the community?
Since its inception, the Fan Drive has made a tangible impact on lives across the country. The incredible generosity of our customers has allowed us to aid the most vulnerable among us by staying cool during the summer heat. A single box fan can significantly reduce energy costs by circulating air throughout a home and enhancing the efficiency of a window unit air conditioner. Even if you have an air conditioner, a fan can help reduce the need to use it 24/7.
Why is giving back to the community important to Westlake Ace Hardware?
At Westlake Ace Hardware, service is at the heart of everything we do, and the Fan Drive is just one example of how we're committed to serving the communities we call home. Being “The Helpful Place” means that the neighborly and helpful advice our associates provide extends far beyond selling products. We are committed to finding the right solution to any problem our customers face – big or small – especially community members in need.
Thank you, Westlake Ace Hardware. Our work is not possible without generous community supporters like you!