The New York State Rental Dealers Association has adopted Special Olympics as the organization that all 268 member stores will fundraise for in an effort to give back to the communities in which they do business. 

Pictured at left are the Association members at their annual meeting at the Turning Store Resort and Casino in Verona , New York .

Said Cathy Skula, Public Relations Chairperson for the Association, "Special Olympics was chosen because we all know someone who is challenged by disabilities.  This organization inspires people to open their minds to accept and include people of all abilities.  Our members feel that supporting this cause would be meaningful not only to the staff in our stores, but to our customers and surrounding communities.  Special Olympics provides a variety of ways to support them, and we chose the Sponsor an Athlete program."

For the Sponsor an Athlete program, store customers can donate $1, $3, $5 or more, from August 8th through September 27th and receive a paper torch icon, on which they can write their name and have posted on the wall in the store.  Stores will track the donations and the information will be posted online at Special Olympics for all to see, encouraging friendly competition among members to see who can raise the most money. 

The Association's total donation will be honored in a check presentation ceremony on October 3 rd , 2008 at Special Olympics New York's State Fall Games in Rochester .

NYSRDA website is:  www.nyrentaldealers.org

Current Winners for weeks 8/18 – 8/23

Rent-A-Center

The top five Rent-A-Center stores in "torch icon" sales:

1. 4786 Newburgh , NY : $1,300

2. 2777 Geneseo , NY : $832

3. 4513 Granville , NY : $448

4. 4088 Queensbury , NY : $310

5. 2479 Bronx , NY $309

5. 4506 Pulaski , NY : $309

The top five district managers in overall "torch icon" sales:

1. Tony Diaz, d0423: $1,874

2. Art Troisi, d0472: $1,144

3. Jeff Cowen, d0471: $1,005

4. Donna Angst, d0191: $958

5. Jimmy Orozco, d0278: $923

RAC store standings - click here

Aarons Rent

1 st Place , Aarons Rent store F362 in Elmira , with $71 in sales.  Total sales as of 8/23:  $243

2 nd Place , Aarons Rent store F805 in Massena, with $45 in sales. Total sales as of 8/23:  $109

3 rd Place , Aarons Rent store F154 in Buffalo , with $43 in sales.  Total sales as of 8/23:  $128

Cumulative Sales :

Aarons Rent store F759, Plattsburgh $462

Aarons Rent store F586, Utica $346

Aarons store standings - click here