Hardware store steps up for the kids

Brooklyn, New York-based retailer Matt Mazzone’s idea to sell chocolate for charity has been a huge hit. It started out local, and sweetened into a national program whereby Ace stores across the country have generated more than $600,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

For his leadership, his fundraising and his community involvement, Mazzone is the 2016 Ace All-Star Retailer.

"I am truly humbled and honored to be named the 2016 All-Star Retailer, and would like to give credit to my incredible team,” said Mazzone, owner of Mazzone Ace Hardware in Brooklyn. “I think I speak for Ace retailers across the organization when I say that giving back to our communities is something ingrained in our DNA, it is done without expectation of recognition or award.”

This national award honors one Ace retailer annually for his or her extraordinary fundraising, leadership skills, innovation and commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals  – Ace’s national philanthropy of choice. Mazzone was nominated by his local CMN Hospital, Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

The co-op says Mazzone was selected for his exemplary fundraising for Cohen Children’s Medical Center and his efforts to influence and engage Ace stores across the country to fundraise for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.



The idea to use World’s Finest Chocolate Bars as a fund raiser – an idea that took off across the co-op – led to the sale of 1.2 million bars, generating more than $600,000 for CMN Hospitals across the country in just 16 months. In addition, Mazzone hosts an annual Pumpkinfest event for his store’s neighborhood community. This fun-filled event has become a local tradition for many families with proceeds benefitting Cohen Children’s Medical Center. The event includes pumpkin decorating, pony rides, face painting, music, food and raffles.

As part of Mazzone’s recognition, P&G and Duracell will donate $25,000 in his name to Cohen Children’s Medical Center. In addition, Cabot Creamery will host Mazzone on their 2017 Cabot Community Celebrity Cruise to Alaska. Like Ace, Cabot Creamery is a cooperative that believes in rewarding influential leaders like Mazzone for their contributions to communities and society.

“I would like to thank our store associates, my fellow Ace retailers, the Ace Foundation team, and Ace’s management for their encouragement and continued support of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Mazzone.



“We are proud to recognize Matt Mazzone as Ace’s third-annual All-Star Retailer,” said Kane Calamari, president of the Ace Hardware Foundation. “Not only has Matt been instrumental in raising funds for his local hospital, Cohen Children’s Medical Center, but he has also been a visionary catalyst within our organization spurring incredible fundraising growth across the entire Ace enterprise.”