Heartware Stories - A story in every neighborhood
Featured Story

State Trooper
Eric Ellsworth was a larger-than-life guy. A proud husband and father of three, he spent his days protecting the folks around Brigham City, Utah, or tossing one of his three young boys up on his broad shoulders to cart them around town. Watch VideoThe Journey
Have we been to your local Ace? Click on a pin to view a story from that local Ace.A Family Legacy Lives On
Having the oldest family-owned continually operating hardware store in Maryland has a certain amount of cache — assuming the family continues to own it. A couple of years ago, the Clark family came to a curious crossroads: Do we sell if our children decide to not take over the business? Read StorySecond Chances
Not everyone loves an underdog, but sometimes you’re better off rooting for the one running behind the pack. For one D.C. Ace owner, this has become somewhat of an unintentional rule — and it has made her business a success and her team a bunch of winners. Watch VideoHurricane Harvey Can’t Shut Us Down
After rushing home from what was to be a fun weekend reconnecting with old friends, one couple finds themselves in the midst of a harrowing hurricane that devastated their town. The one thing that set them apart from the rest? They own the local Ace Hardware. Watch VideoCharity To Loved Ones
You never want to hear the words, "Your child is going to the hospital." But after years of fundraising through their Ace Hardware store for the Children’s Miracle Network at Texas Children’s hospital in Houston, that’s exactly what Bill and Susan heard about their grandson. Watch VideoHomeless Cats Find Shelter
It is said cats have nine lives. For a group of feral cats in a small town in western New York, their longevity is being helped through the efforts of a few kind-hearted folks at Standish-Jones Building Supply Ace Hardware. Watch VideoLearning the Language
Going through life without the ability to hear the outside world offers its own set of challenges. But when you’re navigating life without the help of friends or even strangers, it becomes more difficult. Watch VideoRebuilding Our Memorial
When news broke that the beloved Central Texas War Memorial was in pieces in Brownwood, Texas it hit a nerve in the small Texas town. Weston Jacobs of Weakly Watson Hardware wasn’t going to let the pieces stay down for long. Watch VideoCancer, Don't Fight It Alone
After a devastating phone call, an Ace team member suffered silently until her loving community came to her aid. Years later, the lesson: Never feel as if you have to battle anything alone. Watch VideoA Man And His Dog
When a distraught elderly man walked into Cleveland’s Ace Hardware in Mississippi, one young store team member immediately reached out to help. Through conversations, which reminded the young man of talking with his grandfather, he learned what was going on in the old man’s life. Watch VideoA Pink Dogwood Blossoms
White dogwood trees grow abundantly around the general Atlanta area, but pink dogwoods remain elusive. It was something about those beautiful pink flowers that always caught Jess’ eye. Read Story
Food For Thought
People often say it takes a village to raise a child. That becomes even more true when that child comes into this world with a birth defect or develops an unexpected illness when they were once thought to be completely healthy. Watch Video
Medical Mission
The first time Diana Thatcher traveled to Honduras she didn’t know what to expect. It wasn’t for a tropical vacation on the beach or to a spa in the jungle. She was there to do some good and help those less fortunate than her. Watch Video
State Trooper
Eric Ellsworth was a larger-than-life guy. A proud husband and father of three, he spent his days protecting the folks around Brigham City, Utah, or tossing one of his three young boys up on his broad shoulders to cart them around town. Watch Video
Bugle Call To Duty
Heroes exist in small towns all over America, but most times they don’t seek the spotlight or ask for any attention. These people live their lives every day going about their business that often has a positive impact on the folks around them and their greater community at large. Watch Video
The Ace Warrior
Down syndrome can’t get in the way of a great job. In fact, it’s not a hindrance to succeed in life, despite some who think it can be a deterrent to living a fairly normal, healthy life. Watch Video
The Community Mural
The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has traveled between its two namesake Colorado mountain towns since 1882, hauling necessary supplies to rangers, ranchers and homesteaders who first populated the area. Watch Video
Miracle On The Rocks
Red Rocks played host to the Miracle on the Rocks Stair Climb. This event saw hundreds of people come together for a day of wellness and running to support Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHC), a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Read Story
Finding Shelter
Everyone deserves to feel protected, to feel they have a safe place to lay their head at night, to feel like when they close the door to their own home, they are just that: home. There’s a saying: Home is where the heart is. But for victims of domestic violence, home is often where the heartache is. Watch Video
Servant Heart
Some people just feel the call of duty. They have the need, urge, desire and passion to serve their country. Many, both dedicated men and women, will join the Armed Forces — the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines — so they can tackle head on things they feel will harm our country and the freedom of the United States. Watch Video
A Forest of Christmas Joy
For most, the holidays evoke a time of cheer, a time for families to come together to celebrate, a time to reflect on special moments during the year and to start looking toward the good times ahead. But that’s not everyone’s reality. Watch Video
Finding Hope Amongst the Ashes
Before anyone could grasp the reality of the situation, flames surrounded the hillsides around Gatlinburg, the small mountain resort town at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee. The area serves as an entry point for people looking to explore the natural beauty through hiking, fishing, biking and more outdoor activities among the towering majestic mountains and lush forests of the national park. Watch Video
Riding With Santa
Not all kids have the same good fortune to receive a present. Maybe it was a hard year at home and the family finances are low, where parents didn’t have extra funds even for a simple gift. Other times, the children may have an illness that keeps them from sleeping in their own bed. Watch Video
Lights to Remember
Joe started treatment in Jacksonville, Fla., where he lived with his family, but eventually got transferred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. About a month before Christmas, the team at Proctor’s Ace Hardware, with three stores in the Jacksonville area, wanted to help the DeWaele family by decorating their home. Watch Video
Just Holler
When hearing the news a friend is ill or maybe fell on hard times, we often reach out and say, "If you need anything, please let me know." Most times, that person will never reach out to ask for help as it may feel uncomfortable or awkward. Watch VideoOur Latest Stories
Have a story for us?
Submit a story idea with #HeartwareStories to be considered for a future Heartware Story.Follow us on Instagram to watch the journey and get behind the scenes moments.
FAQ'S
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What are Heartware Stories?
At Ace Hardware we believe everyone has a story to tell. These are acts of amazing moments, where an individual or a community bonds over shared strength and determination. These stories happen in big cities and small towns across America. Each and every day. Even in hardware stores.
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How are Heartware Stories selected?
Heartware Stories are reviewed and selected by a team at Ace Hardware’s Corporate office. We discover Heartware stories a number of ways – from hearing about them from our customers directly as well as through social media, local news coverage and Ace’s corporate field staff.
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How can I submit a Heartware Story?
We’d love to hear a story to consider for a future Heartware Story. If you have a story you want to share please include a short description, name of the store, name of the city/state and names of individuals involved. You can submit a story in 3 ways.
Tagging us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #HeartwareStories
Send us a letter to 2200 Kensington Ct., Oak Brook IL 60523 Attention: Consumer Marketing Department
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Are Ace’s individually owned?
Ace Hardware has over 5,000 stores around the world with the majority of those stores independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs.
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How can I find out about new Heartware Stories?
Visit acehardware.com/heartwarestories to join our email list to receive stories right to your inbox. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more news and behind the scene moments of this series. Photos and videos can be viewed searching #HeartwareStories.