Rent-to-own News - Industry wows at Congressional Black Caucus fundraiser

Rent-to-own substantially increased its visibility both as a united industry and as one committed to the higher goal of improving educational opportunities for deserving students at a prestigious fundraising event this weekend.

APRO was the exclusive sponsor of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) silent auction June 22 and in coordination with its members, donated over $50,000 worth of cash and in-kind contributions to the fundraiser that will finance scholarship opportunities for deserving students across the country.

APRO president Larry Carrico, Rent-A-Center Legal Counsel Dwight Dumler, Mary, Mackenzie and Gary McDougal and APRO public affairs director Richard May.

This year's donation was double that of the industry's previous annual silent auction efforts over the last 10 years and included contributions from 15 state associations, vendors, rental dealers, buying groups and APRO (See all sponsoring organizations and companies).

Genette Comfort, CBCF director of resource development said the "quality and quantity" of the merchandise donated to the auction added a level of excitement -- and competitive bidding -- to this years auction.

The unity displayed by the industry was noticeable and put rent-to-own at the forefront of the record number of attendees at the auction.

"It was a very unified effort and the (rent-to-own) industry came out in strong numbers," Comfort said. "It did a lot for people who didn't know who APRO was; they do now. Knowing those items were donated by rent-to-own members did a lot for their visibility."

Big screen plasma TV's, numerous computers, game systems, iPods and other electronics generated great enthusiasm by auction bidders, Comfort said.

Proceeds from the auction will go to support the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Education Scholarship Fund, which awards annual scholarships to students in member's Congressional Districts.

APRO President Larry Carrico -- who spearheaded this year's record auction contribution and addressed attendees -- said contributing through state associations was a more equitable strategy that communicated national solidarity to the estimated 15 U.S. Congress members in attendance.

Carrico said APRO's exclusive sponsorship of the event was an honor earned through years of support and partnership with the CBCF. The opportunity to sponsor the silent auction came about more through the cultivation of relationships that the contribution of cash.

"As an industry we've matured and we're being recognized for that," Carrico said. "When people see us up there, doing these things, they see the industry putting it's best foot forward. And with that comes recognition."

Former APRO President Gary McDougal, who helped initiate the industry's relationship with the CBC, attended the fundraiser this weekend.

McDougal said the direct sponsorship of the event by state associations this year was a "wonderful" development and that he received numerous compliments from organizers as well as members of Congress.

"Everyone was very impressed and took notice of us," McDougal said. "The state sponsorships was something that needed to be done and the state associations really stepped to the plate."

McDougal, who retired from rent-to-own in 2004, said his deep ties to both the industry and the CBCF keep him active in the annual event.

"I've spent so much time in Washington, all these folks became my friends," McDougal said. "They're good people who understand what we do and anytime my industry needs me, I'll be there."

According to Comfort, the CBCF raised $700,000 over the course of the 2008 Mervyn L. Jones Memorial Golf and Tennis Classic June 21-22, which included the silent auction.

Since 1988, the CBCF has awarded more than $9 million in scholarships through the spouses education scholarship fund.

The scholarship awards competition is open to highly motivated students attending school in a CBC member's congressional district. Learn more or download an entry form. 

mevans@rtohq.org