Westlake Ace Hardware Stores and The Salvation Army Join Forces to Beat the Heat with June Fan Drive

KANSAS CITY, MO – May 28, 2024 – Westlake Ace Hardware and The Salvation Army are once again partnering to host their annual fan drive dedicated to helping local citizens stay cool during the approaching summer months. The Fan Drive will take place through June 16.

Customers at Westlake Ace Hardware stores will be encouraged to donate to the cause by rounding up their purchases at the register. All donations will go toward new box fans for local Salvation Army commands.

In 2023, Westlake Ace and its customers raised $105,000 nationwide. That money was used to purchase more than 6,100 fans for those in need in communities across the country. Since the campaign began, the drive has raised $855,000 and provided more than 58,000 fans.

“Since its inception, the Fan Drive has made a tangible impact on lives across the country. The unbelievable generosity of our customers has helped us aid the most vulnerable among us by staying cool during the summer heat,” said Andy Schmitt, vice president and COO of Westlake Ace Hardware. “At Westlake Ace Hardware, service is at the heart of everything we do, and the Fan Drive is just one example of how we’re committed to serving the communities we call home.”

“As the summer heat approaches, the needs of the families we support only increase,” said Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander of The Salvation Army. “Families should not have to endure uncomfortable temperatures on top of their existing struggles. The continued partnership and support from Westlake Ace Hardware and its generous customers enables us to provide essential relief to our neighbors in need.”

The Fan Drive began as a grassroots effort in Hutchinson, Kan., and has grown to encompass 145 Westlake-Ace stores nationwide. Contributions to the Fan Drive are welcome at all Westlake Ace stores across the country, Buikema’s Ace Hardware locations in Illinois, and select Ace Hardware stores in California. All donations stay in the local community. Those who prefer to donate online can visit westlakehardware.com/fan-drive.