Westlake Ace makes a cool donation

Lenexa, Kansas-based Westlake Ace Hardware’s summer fan drive to benefit the elderly generated some $30,000 worth of cooling equipment. 

The retailer partnered with The Salvation Army for the drive July 17 to Aug. 3. More than $30,000 was donated, equating to more than 2,000 fans donated -- at cost -- to The Salvation Army.

Westlake chose six markets in which to host the fan drive -- Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Omaha/Lincoln, Wichita and Hutchinson, comprising of 49 store locations. Kicking off the fan drive with a donation of 50 fans per market, Westlake then asked customers to donate at the register. For a $5 donation, one ‘fan blade’ could be given, $10 provided two ‘fan blades’, $15 for ‘three blades’ or $20 for the ‘entire fan.' 

“Our store managers and employees did a fabulous job of working with their local Salvation Army chapters and volunteers to make this a big success,” said Alicia Weber, director of marketing for Westlake. “By using local store marketing tactics such as offering free hot dogs/sodas, hosting a raffle or car wash and scheduling a radio remote, they were able to raise awareness of the program and increase donations.” 

Westlake operates 85 stores in the Midwest.