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New store strives to help local charities
By Elise Franco
Photo
Mark Worsencraf, the general manager of Aron’s Sales and Services, stands by a row of LCD TVs. Since opening in the Austintown Plaza in June, the retail store has donated $5,000 to local charities and community groups.
Austintown
Aaron’s Sales and Service has donated about $5,000 to local charities and community groups since moving into the Austintown Plaza in June.
Mark Worsencroft, the store’s general manager, said as a corporate enterprise, Aaron’s believes in becoming a part of the community where it does business.
“Corporate gives each store a fund that’s used to give to the community as we see fit,” he said. “You want to go into a community and become a part of it. ... The way to do that is to reach out to someone who needs help.”
Worsencroft said the store made $500 donations to Austintown Little Falcons, the Elliott L. Giles Scholarship Fund at Youngstown State University, Animal Charity and Zion Lutheran Church.
Most recently, he said Aaron’s donated a new, 43-inch flat-screen television to the firefighters at Austintown’s main station on state Route 46.
“A very good friend of mine is a fireman, so I know what they’re all about,” he said. “To me, they risk their lives, so why shouldn’t Aaron’s give them a better core of life while they’re on the job?”
The TV replaced an old 19-inch box television one of the firefighters brought in years ago, said Assistant Chief Andy Frost III.
“The guys really appreciated it,” Frost said. “It made things a little nicer for them.”
Trustee Jim Davis said it’s encouraging to see a business come in and support the township the way Aaron’s has.
“We’re proud to have a business move into Austintown that wants to back our residents and wants to be heavily involved in the community,” he said.
Davis said he thought the business should be recognized for its work and generosity.
“The little projects that come up from time to time, for Aaron’s to donate to those types of projects is outstanding, because that helps fill in the gaps where you need them,” he said.
Worsecroft said he’s not in it for the recognition, however, which is why many people don’t know about the company’s charity work.
“We’re not asking to be noticed, because then, are we really doing [charity] for the right reasons? Our goal, really, is to work inside this community and the plaza and make it a great place to shop again,” he said.