Rent-to-own News - Rent One pitches in for manager during difficult time

Rent One CEO Larry Carrico with regional manager Gerald Edgell.

Some companies talk about the importance of their employees. Rent One walks it.

Nowhere was that more evident than at the company's recent managers meeting this week in O'Fallon, Illinois. That was where a little impromptu fundraising took place led by CEO Larry Carrico on behalf of Gerald Edgell -- a Rent One Regional Manager -- who's wife, Kim, is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of cancer.

"The last few months have been the roughest of our marriage," Edgell said. "The tests show the cancer is not responding to the treatments and we keep having to adjust them. The side effects are so hard on her and she was so looking forward to getting away."

The couple had planned a five day anniversary getaway in March to Gulf Shores, Alabama. However, Carrico wouldn't hear off it and insisted the couple get themselves to a proper vacation in Florida. He then put his auctioneering skills to work to get them there.

After himself winning a Playstation 2 version of Guitar Hero during a prize drawing after the vendor reception Tuesday, Carrico set about "auctioning" -- calling for donations in increments of $20, multiplying the final amount by five and raising $3,100. Rent One staffers, managers and vendors contributed to the effort.

He then "auctioned" off two Fraenkel mattresses at $950 each which brought the total to $5,000.

Edgell, who manages five Rent One stores in Tennessee, said he was surprised and humbled by the gift, but that it was in keeping with the spirit of the self described "employee centric" company and its owner.

"I'm amazed and gracious for the tremendous support I have here," he said. "Ever since they found out what we were going through, the company has been so supportive. It means everything right now."

Edgell said he was leaving the final destination decision to Kim, thinking she may choose quieter Destin over Miami. Destin is also closer, he said, and would allow the couple to get back to medical care more easily if need be.

"Gerald is just a really good person who's going through a lot right now," Carrico said. "It's really about the attitude of the employees and vendors who may not even know him personally but who want to show their gratitude for what they have by helping someone else out. It's how we do things here."

Beyond choosing the exact locale, Edgell said, everything else is on the table.

"Fishing, parasailing…we're going to do it all."

See full photo gallery of Rentastic! 2011 here.