Aaron's And Progressive Leasing Showcase Renovated Baltimore Keystone Makeover

Through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and input from the teen members, Aaron's associates and Club officials worked on painting, decorating and furnishing a gaming and lounge zone and an education area with new computers for the teens.  Then local Aaron's associates and Club officials unveiled the new space, which is now equipped with new technology, sectionals, tables and chairs, sound systems and fresh coats of paint. Teens chose the special Sherwin-Williams™ paint colors for the space: Butter Up, Gleeful, Notable Hue and Elephant Ear. 

"Aaron's is proud to continue our heritage of giving by bringing our philanthropic tradition to these remarkable and impressive Baltimore teens," said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc. "The Boys & Girls Club is a vital community resource for at-risk teens, and Aaron's is committed to providing these young people with the resources they need to achieve successful futures."

In 2015, the Aaron's Foundation, Inc. announced a three-year, $5 million national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Keystone Program, helping teens develop their character and leadership skills in hopes of helping them reach their potential and creating positive change in the community. Keystone Club teen centers provide members ages 14-18 an environment to plan and participate in activities that focus on community service, academic success, career preparation and teen outreach.

The 23 previous Keystone Club makeovers have included Boys & Girls Clubs in cities such as Los Angeles, San Antonio, Nashville, Las Vegas, Chicago and Milwaukee. The makeover at the O'Donnell Heights Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore includes an additional in-kind retail donation valued at $28,000.

"Aaron's has transformed our Teen Center into a modern, state-of-the-art facility that our teens can be proud of for years to come," said Gary Johnson, director of O'Donnell Heights Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore. "This partnership with Aaron's has given our teens the resources necessary to achieve academic excellence and reach their career goals, while also providing a wonderful example of giving back to the community."

Keystone teen members of the O'Donnell Heights Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore said the program inspires them to take ownership of their choices to build the lives they deserve.

"The Keystone program allowed me to be a part of something. They gave me a chance where others would not have. This is like a second family for me."  Montay P., 16 years old

"I am grateful for the Keystone program as it has helped me be a better person." Erin J., 15 years old

"The Keystone program has allowed me to give back to my community. Without the program, I do not know if I would have ever had the chance to be a leader." Torro J., 17 years old

To see photos of the Keystone Club remodel at the O'Donnell Heights Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore, visit Aaron's on Facebook (www.facebook.com/aaronsinc), on Twitter (www.twitter.com/AaronsInc) and at www.aarons.com/aaronsgives. 

About Aaron's, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. The Aaron's Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories through its 1,750 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. In addition, Progressive Leasing, a virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 27,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit products that are originated through federally insured banks. For more information, visit investor.aarons.com, Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (http://www.bgca.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,300 Clubs serve 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, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.

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