Rent-to-own News - APRO announces Employee of the Year finalists

APRO today narrowed the field of candidates in its Rent To Own Employee of the Year contest to three. They are as follows:

Donna Fally is the financial manager for the corporate office of Rent One/SKC Enterprises in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
 
She is an active member of her community as a 20-year member of the Rome Community Consolidated School Board and through her years of volunteer service with the United Way of South Central Illinois and Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity where she continues to serve as treasurer on the board 7 years and 13 homes later.

In addition to keeping the books for Habitat, Fally also provides home cooked meals for those working on various Habitat Projects.

Fally was first elected to the school board in 1995 when her children were in school and has continued on long after they finished. She currently serves as vice president of the board and served two terms as its president overseeing an extensive school district building renovation projects.

She has volunteered with the United Way since 2002, serving in half a dozen positions including seven years on the United Way Board of Directors.

"I wish we could put into words the service Donna has done for United Way," said Rhonda McCowen, executive director of the United Way of South Central Illinois. "She has been a liaison and wonderful representative for the company she loves and her community."

Derek Ford is a store manager with Heartland Furniture and Appliance in Dexter, Missouri.

Ford is a leader in his store and in his community by joining with Heartland in the company's many community outreach events.

Ford last year, assisted in selling 100 air conditioners at a discounted rate to the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation, a private, non-profit, which then provided them to low income communities for free.

He was a part of numerous donation events included donating freezers to the Parma Fire Department during a power outage in 2008, donating furnishings for the Dexter High School Prom, donating to the Dexter DARE Program, donating walk-in freezers to the American Cancer Society.

He also assists each year with the Stoddard County parade.

"With the collaboration of myself and the company, we have made great strides to improve the relations of the community and the people in it," Ford said.

Derek Glass manages a Rent One store in Caruthersville, Missouri.

Glass puts community involvement at the forefront by jumping in on behalf of his colleagues and customers in times of need.

Glass most recently stepped up on behalf of a long-time customer who delivered prematurely and was unable to afford gas to the hospital to see the baby, much less the costs of long-term treatments and therapies.

Glass helped put together a benefit got his company to commit to contribute items for a raffle and then served burgers at the event which raised close to $5,000 last month. See story.

Glass also came to the aid of one of his delivery technicians last year whose home burnt down just before Christmas. Glass set up a company-wide fundraiser for his colleague's family. Fellow members throughout the Rent One chain heaped raise more than $3,000.

Glass is also a four-year member of the Kennett Jaycees where he was involved with programs like "Shoes for Kids" helping the needy children within the Caruthersville community.

In addition, Glass helps hold weekend barbecues to raise money for the Bragg City Fire Department to help expand its resources.

In 2006, when a tornado hit Caruthersville, Glass volunteered and brought a backhoe and truck to help the clean-up effort within the community.

"Derek's good deeds extend far beyond his role as a Rent One manager," said nominator David Keen. "His role in the community follows the creed of our founders, Larry and Sharon Carrico. We can think of no one more deserving of this award."