At Ace, we're committed to extending helpfulness beyond the walls of our stores and our overall supply chain and into the communities that we serve. After all, while we're nationally known, we're a locally embraced and trusted neighbor to millions of customers worldwide. Whether it's through the charitable efforts of the Ace Hardware Foundation, implementation of the New Faces for Helpful Places program, support of Little League® Baseball, or other community outreach efforts, giving back to the communities in which we do business remains a top priority at Ace.

At Ace, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve. From busy and bustling cities to rustic and rural towns, we truly care about the communities in which we do business. This is why The Ace Hardware Foundation was established in 1991: to serve as an umbrella over the charitable fundraising efforts of Ace Hardware retailers, Ace Hardware Corporation and Ace vendor partners for the benefit of Children's Miracle Network (CMN) and the American Red Cross.

The Ace Hardware Foundation is dedicated to improving people's lives, be it through needed health care or disaster relief. Since 1991, The Ace Hardware Foundation has helped to advance the health and well-being of children by supporting the Children's Miracle Network. In addition, Ace serves to improve the lives of individuals affected by disasters through the help of the American Red Cross and the American Red Cross General Fund.

Established in 1983, Children's Miracle Network (CMN) generates funds and awareness for more than 17 million sick and injured children, who are cared for each year by its 170 affiliated hospitals, regardless of their family's ability to pay. Although the program is national in scope, 100 percent of the funds raised in each community stay local, being donated to the nearest CMN hospital in that area.

The money The Ace Hardware Foundation raises is funneled to CMN hospitals to help sick kids in a variety of ways – from purchasing new equipment and paying hospital bills to funding research that allows CMN doctors to remain on the cutting edge of medical advancements and technology.

And, it is because of past generosity that Ace continues to rank in the top 10 of all CMN corporate sponsors.

american.redcross.org/ace-emp

The purpose of the American Red Cross Natural Disaster Relief Fund is to provide relief to victims of natural disasters. Each year, thousands of people, in areas around the country, are affected by powerful disruptive disasters such as tornadoes, floods, fires, hurricanes and earthquakes. The Red Cross is synonymous with lending a much-needed helping hand in these difficult situations.

As a national company with members in more than 5,600 domestic locations, it's no surprise that members of our own Ace family have experienced the often devastating effects of a natural disaster. The Ace Hardware Foundation is proud to partner with the American Red Cross to support our neighbors in times of need.

As the official Hardware Supplier of Little League® Baseball and Softball since 2004, Ace Hardware has been a proud national sponsor of Little League Baseball and Softball. As a sponsor, Ace supports Little League teams, organizations and participants throughout the year with special mailings, offers and materials as well as local activities conducted by many of the 4,600 neighborhood Ace Hardware stores.

Since their beginnings in 1939, Little League has grown into a worldwide program that includes approximately 200,000 teams, 3 million participants and 1 million volunteers. Like Ace Hardware, Little League Baseball shares a strong history of community presence and family involvement. As we enter our 80th year of providing helpful service and advice to consumers nationwide, our Ace stores are looking forward to extending this same type of goodwill and involvement to Little League families and organizations across America. Learn more about Little League Baseball by visiting their website at www.littleleague.org.

Ace's "Fields for the Future" Renovation Projects Children in communities across the country take the field every year to participate in the nation's beloved pastimes of baseball and softball. These young players take pride in the sport, and the fields they play on hold a special significance to the kids who use them. However, many times these local ballparks go for years without needed maintenance or repairs, as often the resources are simply not available.

To continue Ace's helpful pledge to the communities and customers that Ace store owners serve, Ace has teamed up with Little League to pitch in and fix up "in need" Little League fields through the Ace's "Fields for the Future" program. Five fields are selected every year (one for each of the following official Little League divisions: Central, East, South, Southwest and West).

Winning locations receive $2,500 worth of Ace product and a full day's work from Ace's "Helpful Hardware Man" Lou Manfredini and the "Lou Crew," consisting of local volunteers from the league and area Ace stores, to beautify and repair the fields. In addition, Ace donated an additional $2,500 worth of Ace Gift Cards to each of the winning leagues.

In partnership with Ace stores across the country, Ace has donated $75,000 to local leagues and renovated 15 fields.

Every community has a helpful place – a local organization that contributes to the community's overall welfare and community members' quality of life. Whether it's a elementary school, community theater or home for disadvantaged kids, these helpful organizations hold a special place in the hearts of individuals who benefit from them. However, many times, these locations go for years without any renovations or repairs.

Since 2004, Ace Hardware – known as the "helpful place" – has teamed up with its retailers, Ace's "Helpful Hardware Man" Lou Manfredini, and local communities across the country to give facelifts to these types of facilities because giving back to the communities in which Ace stores serve has been part of Ace's history for more than 85 years.

Known as the "New Faces for Helpful Places" program, Ace has renovated 30 organizations, each time rounding up a crew of local volunteers for one day, donating money and supplies, and providing renovations such as new paint, lighting, storage, and bathroom and kitchen repairs. In total, Ace has donated more than $200,000 to local "helpful places" across the country.

In 2006, Ace was featured in the April 10 episode of "The Apprentice" and became the first company to use its time on the show to launch a charitable initiative, which led to the third year of the "New Faces" program, a partnership with season one winner of "The Apprentice" Bill Rancic, and more than 40 million media impressions showcasing how Ace is helpful inside – and outside – the store.