Local Ace Hardware Stores Host Fifth Annual "Grill Your Ace Off" Competition Benefitting Children's Hospital Colorado

DENVER, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- America's most celebrated "helpful place" is gearing up to help the community with the fifth annual Grill Your Ace Off grilling competition and fundraiser benefitting Children's Hospital Colorado.

Local chefs will face off in grilling competitions at Ace Hardware stores across Colorado on June 8 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for a chance to win a $200 gift card to Ace Hardware. In addition to the grilling competitions, select Ace Hardware stores throughout Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico will offer free food, grilling demonstrations and discounts, appearances by Denver Bronco football legends, and kid's activities including bouncy castles, carnival games and face painting. Check www.grillyouraceoff.com for store specific activities.

"Grill Your Ace Off started five years ago at one Denver Ace Hardware store as a way to have some fun while raising money for a great cause," said Brett Stephenson, owner of Highlands Ranch Ace Hardware, one of the locations hosting a competition this year.  "This year more than 40 stores across three states are participating, so regardless of where you live there's a good chance there's an event happening in your neighborhood."

Over the past 10 years, local Ace Hardware stores have donated more than $1 million to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. This year, select Ace stores will be offering free hot dogs and sodas donated by King Soopers with any donations benefiting Children's Colorado.  

"We're thrilled our friends at Ace Hardware are holding Grill Your Ace Off for the fifth consecutive year, both because we appreciate the support and because these events are so much fun for local families," said Katie Dean, manager at Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation. "Each year, we look forward to working with Ace on this growing event and to seeing which team is going to take home the top prize."

Winners will be selected based on "people's choice" voting. Space is limited, so sign up today! For a full list of contest rules, participating stores and details, please visit www.grillyouraceoff.com.

In addition to great deals on a variety of bbq grills, participating Ace Hardware stores will also have specials on grilling accessories, hard to find rubs and sauces and everything the backyard griller needs to grill like a pro.

About Ace Hardware
Throughout its 85-year history, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store by both customers and communities. In 2012, Ace ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Home Improvement Stores for the Sixth Consecutive Year," according to J.D. Power and Associates. With 4,600 locally owned and operated hardware, home center and building materials stores that generate annual retail sales of approximately $12 billion, Ace is the largest hardware cooperative in the industry. Seventy-one independently owned Ace Hardware stores along the Front Range work together to enhance their helpful service and community involvement through the Rocky Mountain Ace Stores (RMAS) dealer organization.  There are approximately 180 Ace Hardware stores throughout Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. More information about Ace can be found at www.myhelpfulace.com.

About Children's Hospital Colorado
Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) has defined and delivered pediatric health care excellence for more than 100 years. Founded in 1908, Children's Colorado is a leading pediatric network entirely devoted to the health and well-being of children. Continually acknowledged as one of the nation's outstanding pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and ranked 7th on its Best Children's Hospitals 2012-13 Honor Roll, Children's Colorado is known for both its nationally and internationally recognized medical, research, education and advocacy programs, as well as comprehensive everyday care for kids throughout Colorado and surrounding states. Children's Colorado also is recognized for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Centers and has been designated a Magnet® hospital since 2005. The hospital's family-centered, collaborative approach combines the nation's top pediatric doctors, nurses and researchers to pioneer new approaches to pediatric medicine. With urgent, emergency and specialty care locations throughout Metro Denver and Southern Colorado, including its main campus on the Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Colorado provides a full spectrum of pediatric specialties. For more information, visit www.childrenscolorado.org and connect with Children's Colorado on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

SOURCE Ace Hardware