Second ARA Foundation joint Community Impact project set for Denver
By Connie Lannan
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Second ARA Foundation joint Community Impact project set for Denver

The new Community Impact Program, a joint effort of the ARA Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation, will launch its second initiative of 2021 on Wednesday, July 21, at Green Valley Ranch East Park in Denver. Those in the Colorado rental industry can take part to give back to their community and build public awareness and demonstrate the advantages of rental.

This new program involves both foundations partnering with local nonprofit organizations to coordinate community service projects across the country. Four such projects are planned for this year and will involve the collaboration of American Rental Association (ARA) members, ARA state associations, and Toro and Ditch Witch representatives in each of the select locations who will source donations and volunteers to work on the project.

Scott Pevey, senior manager, marketing, Ditch Witch, Perry, Okla., and new ARA Associate Member director, initially brought forward the idea as a unique opportunity for both foundations and the rental industry as a whole to come together and give back to our communities.

“An important ingredient in this partnership is the people at the ARA, The Toro Co. and Ditch Witch. Everyone involved at each organization cares about serving the communities in which they live, work and raise their families. The Community Impact Program will leverage the talents and resources of these two groups to engage rental members and promote the rental industry through important community-enhancement projects,” he says.

As soon as she heard the idea, Marcy Johnson, ARA Foundation executive director, thought it would be a perfect fit.

“It just seemed to make a lot of sense. Together we can make an even bigger impact to the local communities in which these projects occur,” she says.

Judson McNeil, president, The Toro Company Foundation, agrees. “One of the things that really excited us about the ARA Foundation and the Toro Company Foundation coming together is the connection we share to serving our communities and the resources we can offer. This project will provide local visibility of our valued rental members and, ultimately, leave a lasting connection with the nonprofits that we are there to help,” she says.

Green Valley Ranch East Park was selected as the location for the Denver project as it serves many in the community, with the largest group being the Denver Park and Recreation’s youth baseball and football programs. As part of the Community Impact Program, volunteers will help renovate the turfgrass and infield of the baseball diamonds, help with the installation of new sod and fence repairs, and repaint the backstop boards and picnic shelter areas.

“Key to the success of this project is our volunteers and the equipment for the job,” McNeil says.

Board members from the ARA of Colorado immediately jumped onboard with this project — even sponsoring lunch for all who take part that day.

“This project is just a good fit for the ARA of Colorado and all our members in the state,” says Jeff Jackson, owner, All Purpose Rental & Sales, Greeley, Colo., who serves as ARA of Colorado president. “All of us in the industry have the ability, the equipment and the wherewithal to help out and make a difference for our community. This is an opportunity for all of us to make something positive happen and to show what rental can do. We want as many as possible to get involved so we can have a successful event.”

McNeil agrees. “This project has a need for equipment and volunteer work. There are opportunities for everyone. All abilities are welcome. ARA members have an opportunity to be part of something new and share the values of who they are as people and as members of ARA, volunteering and using the assets of their rental stores to make a positive difference.”

Sign up today to take part. To volunteer, click here.

For more information, contact April Kleckner, ARA Foundation program manager, at 800-334-2177, ext. 234.

Connie Lannan

Connie LannanConnie Lannan

Connie Lannan is special projects editor for Rental Management. She helps plan, coordinate, write and edit ARA’s quarterly regional newsletters, In Your Region. She also researches, writes and edits news and feature articles for Rental Management, Rental Pulse, supplements, special reports and other special projects. Outside of work, she loves to bake for others, go for walks with her husband and volunteer for her church and causes she believes in.

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