True Value Announces National Partnership With Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Retailers unite locally around a common philanthropy

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Feb 24, 2014, 06:57 ET

ATLANTA, Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- True Value Company through its True Value Foundation announced a national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America during the retail hardware co-operative's biannual trade show at the Georgia World Congress Center.

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"True Value Foundation's mission is to provide resources to improve the lives of children in the communities we serve," said Brent Burger, True Value Company board of directors chairman and True Value Foundation president. "Our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a natural fit. It unites our retailers around a common philanthropy, and provides them with an opportunity to engage with local Clubs and give back in a variety of ways."

During the first year of the partnership, True Value Foundation will support Boys & Girls Clubs of America, headquartered in Atlanta, by piloting local retailer engagement activities. In 2015, the foundation will roll out system-wide tools to connect additional True Value retailers with local Boys & Girls Clubs for volunteer and fundraising opportunities. The partnership kicked off at True Value's Reunion in Atlanta with a community service project where retailers were paired with local Club youth for activities and mentoring at an Atlanta-area Boys & Girls Club.

The Chicago-based co-op has a long-standing history with Boys & Girls Clubs and shares similar values with the organization. For more than 30 years, True Value and its supplier community has supported the Cotter Club through a relationship with Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. True Value retailers, including Burger, also give back to their local Clubs. Burger serves as vice-chairman of the Alfond Youth Center in rural Maine, a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA.

True Value Foundation empowers retailers to serve their local communities and actively participate in philanthropy. Endeavors specific to each market – urban, suburban and rural – include the Painting a Brighter Future grant program that revitalizes more than 100 schools per year through paint donations, Habitat for Humanity home building projects and millions of dollars in supplier product donations to Habitat ReStore programs.

"At True Value, we're committed to the communities we serve and to the local hardware entrepreneur. Boys & Girls Clubs of America positively influences the lives of our future entrepreneurs and business leaders every day," said John Hartmann, True Value Company president and CEO. "On behalf of True Value and our retailers, we're honored to work with such a highly regarded, high-impact organization. True Value strongly encourages its retailers and associates to commit to creating opportunities for our country's youth through this partnership."

Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe and enriching environment for young people during critical out-of-school hours. Through its high-impact youth development programming, Clubs help kids develop skills to be successful in school with a plan for graduation and beyond, develop strong character, lead healthy lifestyles and avoid risky behaviors. With 4,000 Clubs in a variety of communities nationwide, nearly 4 million young people are served annually through Club membership and community outreach. This represents a significant and relevant footprint for True Value's approximately 3,000 hardware stores, which are located within 20 miles of a Club, on average.

"We are honored to be selected as True Value Foundation's first national partnership and look forward to partnering with its retailers locally," said Chad Royal-Pascoe, national vice president, Corporate Partnerships for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Numerous local Clubs will benefit through retailers' volunteerism and donations. Together, we will enable youth to achieve great futures."

About True Value Company and True Value Foundation
True Value Company, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the world's largest retailer-owned hardware cooperatives. The True Value cooperative represents independent retailer locations worldwide with retail sales in their communities totaling approximately $5.5 billion. The True Value Foundation was created in 2008 to unite retailers in common philanthropy and improve the lives of children in the communities True Value serves. Additional information is available at www.truevaluecompany.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at www.bgca.org/facebook and www.bgca.org/twitter.

For more information, contact:
True Value Media Relations
Tricia McKim (913) 515-9048

SOURCE True Value Company