Rent One Donation Benefits Local Children

APRO Members Larry and Sharron Carrico of Rent One recently donated $5,000 to Kingdom Seeds Ministries (KSM) in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, benefitting local children through various programs emphasizing mentoring, leadership and worship. Through the Great Expectations Foundation, created by the Carrico’s, the donation helped cover expenses for a recent camp run by KSM in June, which included chapel services, laser tag, bounce houses, arts and crafts and other activities. The Great Expectations Foundation was created by the Carrico’s to enhance the lives of children throughout the Midwest, and several local charities were awarded grants this year through Rent One and the foundation, including KSM, CASA of Jefferson County, Angels’ Cove and the United Way of South Central Illinois. APRO member and Rent One Development Director David Keen shares that employees from the company’s 85 stores in 11 regions select which charities to give to, and then Rent One and the foundation match those donations. “If [an employee] were to give a dollar, then Rent One matches a dollar and Larry and Sharon matches a dollar so it’s actually a three-for-one match,” says Keen. “So we give out hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the Midwest pretty much.” Carrico says one of the unique aspects about this grant program is that employees choose the charities and communities they want their donations to go to, “It’s driven by people in the communities so the co-workers feel they’re a part of it.” Keen added that KSM was selected in particular because of the impact they have on the community and the nature of their organization. “We’re just very proud that we were able to donate,” says Keen. “They’re a fantastic organization and when our board met and read their application, we immediately decided to do that.” Rent One’s community donation was recognized by local newspaper, the Morning Sentinel.