Boys & Girls Club of Langlade County receives $1,000 grant for teen character and citizenship program

Aaron’s, Inc. provides start-up grant to support newly chartered Keystone Club

For the Antigo Times

The Boys & Girls Club of Langlade County will launch a new Keystone Club, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier teen character and social engagement program, thanks to a new start-up grant from Aaron’s, Inc. The $1,000 grant will support the newly chartered Keystone Club and thought-driven projects that address key social issues.

The Keystone program is a teen-driven initiative designed to inspire service and leadership for members ages 14-to-18. This unique leadership development experience provides opportunities for teens to participate in activities in four focus areas: community service, academic success, career preparation and teen outreach.

“We believe teens have a great opportunity to be change agents in their communities,” said Angel Zimmerman, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Langlade County. “From food and clothing drives to career fairs, we can’t wait to see what our teen members will achieve as part of our newly chartered Keystone Club.”

“As sponsor of the Keystone Club program nationally, we’ve seen how much potential teens have to make a difference in the lives of their peers, community members, and themselves,” said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron’s, Inc. “With 2016 designated as the Year of the Teen, we are proud to offer 20 new start-up grants to help Clubs like Boys & Girls Club of Langlade County across the nation serve more teens.”

In 2015, Aaron's Foundation, Inc. announced a three-year, $5 million commitment to the Keystone Club program. Its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America also includes sponsorship of the National Keystone Conference, bringing teens representing Keystone Clubs from around the globe together each year for a character and leadership development experience.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Langlade County

Founded in 2000, is a non-profit, privately-funded 501{c}{3} organization and depends on private donations and volunteers to accomplish its mission to enabled all young people, especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, our Club serves more than 2000 young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Currently we have two Club locations one in Antigo and an afterschool extension site in the White Lake School. We 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. To make a donation or to volunteer, contact the Boys & Girls Club office at 715-627-1389 or visit  www.bgclang.org.

About Aaron’s, Inc.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN) is a leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, and currently has more than 1,930 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada.  Progressive Leasing, a leading virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 19,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med, Inc. (DAMI), d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit products that are originated through a federally insured bank.  Aaron's was founded in 1955, has been publicly traded since 1982 and owns the Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com brands. For more information, visitwww.aarons.com.