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Hahn Ace Hardware, which has five locations in Hartford, Delafield, Mukwonago, Menomonee Falls and Mequon, Wisconsin, is connecting with the community by opening up space at the stores for various organizations to raise money.
Owner Perry Hahn says it’s all part of the company’s community outreach initiative, with space available in the stores for Boy Scouts to sell popcorn, Girl Scouts to sell cookies, veterans organizations to sell poppies and any other nonprofit groups to use to raise money.
“We offer nonprofits the space to sell raffle tickets, to grill out or for any other activities they are doing to benefit the community,” Hahn says. “We supply the space, as well as the tents and grills if needed, and a good flow of customers to assist the groups raising their funds. The only request we have is that it is a nonprofit group or organization that benefits the overall community.”
Hahn says this is an easy way for the operation to support the local community and its organizations by providing them space, foot traffic and exposure to assist in their fundraising.
“We believe one of the keys to this type of opportunity is that we are partnering with the nonprofit groups while they work to raise funds,” Hahn says. “We put more value on a partnership like this than just getting an email or letter from an organization asking for donations.”
Over the years, Hahn says the stores have hosted Boys Scouts who have started with selling popcorn and later earned their Eagle Scout badge by doing a community related project that Hahn Ace Hardware was more than happy to assist with financially.
“It means a lot to us to be good partners with the organizations in the communities where we do business,” Hahn says. “It’s an opportunity for our employees and our business to become an even more valued part of the fabric of our communities.”
Visit our Checkouts section for examples of other ways retailers engage with the community.
