Our Stories
In honor of 100 years of Ace Hardware, our mission was to document 100 Heartware Stories, with at least one moment of Ace Helpful captured in each of the 50 states. The results are beyond anything we could have imagined. Select a state below to view our stories. #HeartwareStories
Alabama
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.
The Miracle League
It's no secret that witnessing the joy of children as they play together can brighten anyone's day. For Laura and Britt Wood, Owners of Ace of the South, supporting the Miracle League in Gardendale, Alabama, is a chance to spread that joy to special needs children, their families, and the local community.
Arizona
The Christmas Fire Truck
Hobbies that start in childhood can sometimes inspire for a lifetime. For Joe Findysz of Tucson, Ariz., his lifelong interest in automobiles created a unique opportunity to give back to his community.
Animal Rescue
Serving others could mean helping those with two legs or four. When the Apache Tribe in San Carlos, California, needed help caring for the local dog population, Lauren Arterburn, Owner of Pinnacle Peak Ace Hardware, stepped in to help build doghouses.
California
Where's Wally?
A longtime Ace employee becomes an icon through a treasured stuffed toy.
Waterman
Ace Hardware stores reflect the communities they serve. In Newport Beach, California, Crown Ace Hardware helps rally support to increase awareness for water safety.
Homegrown
Small towns do not always have access to the resources they need to stimulate growth in the community. In the case of Loomis, California, former resident Greg Brening believed he could help the town by opening Loomis Ace Hardware.
A Century of Helpful
Any local business that thrives for a century must be something special to the community it serves. For Gene Pedrotti, owner of Pedrotti Ace Hardware, the opportunity to support the people of Benicia and Vallejo, California is one he accepts with open arms.
Ending The Stigma
Ace Standard 5n10 is not your typical Ace. Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, the store very much mirrors the eclectic-ness of the city it calls home. Within the store, there is another unexpected resource for the community it serves. Almost every employee is a trained first responder to administer Narcan.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Living in a small community like Meadow Vista, California, residents become a tightly knit group. When illness befell Raylin Morales and Anthony Luka, they were surprised by the outreach of support from their neighbors, organized by David and Brittany Lease and their team at Meadow Vista Ace Hardware.
Miller's Place
Often, the best way to inspire others is through hard work and determination. For Miller Greenfield, overcoming his own health issues as a child was only the beginning of his work.
Colorado
The Singer
When it comes to performing live for an audience, nerves aren't the only thing that can make a musician sweat. For Alexa Kilgore, an equipment malfunction was not part of her planned set.
Keeping Theater Alive
Artistic expression can bring people together. For the residents of Westcliffe, Colorado, the preservation of the Jones Theater is an enduring symbol of community pride and creativity.
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.
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.
Kidney Needed
Living with cancer adds a layer of stress to everyday life. Especially if you are on a donor list waiting for a kidney. But thanks to the support of her family and coworkers at Circle Ace Hardware in Colorado Springs, Jill is making the best of a very tough situation.
Florida
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.
Garden of Hope
Hearing the word slavery conjures a very dark period in history. People think that time has passed, but the reality is people are sold into slavery, more commonly known today as human trafficking, every single day.
Sunshine in the Storm
Natural disasters like Hurricane Ian can have a devastating effect on a community. Sunshine Ace Hardware in Bonita Springs, Florida, was a lifeline for people to get the supplies they needed to survive and repair the storm and flood damage. Those same Ace associates who rolled up their sleeves to help customers were in the middle of dealing with damage to their own homes.
Live Like Mikey Goodwin
The enthusiasm and energy of a young athlete can brighten an entire community. Even though Mikey Goodwin's life was cut short, thanks to fundraising efforts, his spirit lives on at a community park named in his honor.
Saint Stephen's Way
Homelessness is a hardship no one should have to endure, especially not children, whose focus should be school and play. When Eddie Struttmann, Indialantic Ace Hardware Owner, discovered many Brevard County school students in the Space Coast of Florida are homeless, he resolved to help in any way he could.
Georgia
A 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.
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.
A Puppy Named Freedom
They say a dog is man's best friend. For some military veterans, that statement could not ring truer.
Hudson's Healing Space
It's always a heartwarming experience when people pull together to help families in need. When the Branch family learned that their son Hudson was facing a serious health crisis, their friends at Tifton Ace Hardware pitched in to support them.
The Caregivers
Customers in Alpharetta, Georgia, will often visit Ace Hardware Midway and ask employee "Uncle" Bob Evans for help. After he lost his son Jeffrey to a rare illness, Bob and his family set up the Jeffrey Campbell Evans Foundation to help patients and their caregivers in the Atlanta area, with the support of Gina and Darin Workman and their team at Ace.
Illinois
Melissa's Closet
Every teenager has pivotal moments that mark her time in high school: getting a spot on the varsity basketball team; landing the big role in the annual musical; or getting a job at a favorite local store. For Melissa Michalowski, one of those moments was going to her high school prom.
You Got This, Chase
It was an early morning in 2012, at the height of summer, when two-year-old Chase Ewold's parents received the most devastating news about their sweet little boy.
A Job For Peter
Finding a job can be a stressful time for anyone. Especially if it is your first job. For Peter, the challenge was even greater because he lives with a condition that makes social interaction a challenge.
The Ryan Way
For families that have children with autism, the support of friends and the community can often turn a challenging situation into a victory. Thanks to Ron & Kerry Foppe of Foppe Ace Hardware, Ryan Mensing has a job and a purpose he can be proud of.
Maryland
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?
Hidden in Plain Sight
Raising a teenager has its own unique set of challenges. When Sandy Mattingly lost her son, she channeled all her energy into helping raise awareness about teenage drug use. With the help of Sneade's Ace Home Center, she has been able to get the word out.
Minnesota
The Ripple Effect
The loss of a first responder can shock a local community to the core. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple gesture to help bring healing and create a ripple effect that makes a difference in the world.
Flag Flying Honoring Veterans
Memorial Day is a time to honor U.S. Military Personnel who served their country. For the people of Prior Lake, Minnesota, it was also a chance to pay tribute to veterans with a special mural at the local Ace Hardware.
The Shrine
Many Ace Hardware store owners believe it is more than just a job. It is a calling. When Crosslake Ace Hardware owners Dan and Betty Soller visited a shrine that was in disrepair, they rolled up their sleeves and got the community involved with the rehabilitation of the landmark.
Teacher's Appreciation Day
Teachers are an important part of any community because they give so much of themselves to educating children. With the sudden passing of Tamie Swanson, the residents of Brainerd, Minnesota, mourned the loss of the teacher who had dedicated 33 years of her life to educating young minds. In her honor, her husband Hal organized a Teacher Appreciation Day at Brainerd Ace Hardware to raise money for school supplies.
Cole's Journey
Steve Burggraf and his team at Burggraf's Ace Hardware in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, give back to their community every year by helping kids. One of their Burggraf's Ace All-Star children, Cole Johns, grew up to become one of their star employees.
Missouri
The Accident
When Henkle's Ace Hardware store owners John and Cris Henkle almost lost their son in a drowning accident, their employees and local community members rallied to help. Since then, the Henkles have done their best to give back to the community in times of need.
Feels Like Home
Health problems can shake up any person's world. For Ed Wilkinson, regular trips to his local Ace Hardware provided him with the familiar comfort he needed during his medical treatments.
Cats In-Store
Giving back to the local community is an important part of the foundation of any Ace Hardware business. For Alex Porter, Owner of Porters Ace Hardware, and his team, looking after cats in need of adoption is an especially fulfilling way to serve the community of Smithville, Missouri.
Montana
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.
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.
HEARTism
For families that have a child with autism, it can be difficult to find services and activities that cater to individuals with special needs. David Evans, Owner of Evans Ace Hardware in Hamilton, Montana, noticed a need in his own community, so he got involved with fundraising and helping the local autism center called HEARTism.
Nebraska
We Got Your Back
When diagnosed with an illness like cancer, all kinds of thoughts run through a patient's mind. How to continue to provide for one's family is always a concern. Ace store owners in Nebraska stepped up to help two of their employees in need.
The Greeter
Sometimes, the best customers also make the best employees. For Mark Barry, his interest in tools opened the door for a unique job position and a special role at his local Ace Hardware.
New York
Homeless 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.
Cancer, 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.
The Drive-In
Creativity can help solve problems. Mix creativity with generosity, and you have The Kids Need More Drive-In Movie Night, a charity event held in the parking lot of Costello's Ace Hardware in Copiague, New York.
Dog Rescue
Whether they are there to assist us, provide emotional support, or offer good old friendship, dogs offer a companionship that brings out the best in people. Cristy Schaefer, Owner of Schaefer's Ace Hardware in Glen Cove, NY, has opened the doors of her business to help local pet rescue organizations find homes for adoptable dogs.
Oregon
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.
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.
The Wheelbarrow CEO
Hiring an individual with special needs can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. For Bryan Crews, owner of Stayton Ace Hardware, his employee Nick has become an indispensable member of the team with a real knack for assembling products.
South Carolina
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.
Supporting Chip
A job can provide so much more than just income. For Chip David Hanzlik, who has special needs, it is an important outlet that has given his life purpose and helped him grow in important ways. For the employees at Simpson Ace Hardware in Sumter, South Carolina, Chip has become an indispensable part of their Ace family.
Tennessee
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.
Meals on Wheels
A passion for serving others is an important part of the job at Ace Hardware. For Ginny Williams, owner of Gil's Ace Hardware in Smyrna, Tennessee, it's all about the feeling she gets from helping the people in the community.
Impact Days
Uniting people to work together for a worthy cause can have a huge positive impact on the community. This includes raising monetary donations and organizing the people that volunteer their time for projects. Effort like this is why United Way's Impact Days continues to be successful 15 years and counting.
Texas
Charity 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.
Hurricane 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.
Rebuilding 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.
Surviving The Crash
When an individual donates personal time for a good cause, it helps the community. After a plane crash put pilot Adam in the hospital, his local community pulled together with donations for his medical expenses in gratitude for his years of service.
Justin Ace Heroes
It takes a special type of person to work at Ace Hardware. A servant heart, loyalty, and dedication are just some of the qualities that make a terrific employee at Ace. It's also the reason that so many veterans fit in and find success working there.
Home Away From Home
Giving a person with special needs a job opportunity in a welcoming environment can benefit everyone involved. At K&M Ace Hardware of Kingwood, Texas, the team welcomed Mark with open arms, and they all enjoy the spark of positive energy he brings to the store.
Utah
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.
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.
Virginia
Becoming a Citizen
When a relative experiences a life-threatening illness, it's important for family members to gather and support each other, even if they need to travel great distances. For Ace employee Maria Noriega, her immigration status provided an even greater challenge for visiting her sick aunt.
Wayne Bowyer's Thank You
When health complications arose for Wayne Bowyer twice in a matter of weeks, he didn't know if he'd be able to return to his job at the Ace Hardware in Verona, Virginia. The response from Verona Ace, which is part of the Rockingham Cooperative of retail farm and consumer products stores based out of Dayton, Virginia, was overwhelmingly supportive.
Washington State
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.
Christmas Lights
Holiday lights have a way of lifting spirits. For the patients and caregivers at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane Washington, the Christmas Lights at Cowley Park are a comforting holiday tradition, made possible by Dawn Gregg, owner of Ash & Rowan Ace Hardware, and her team.
Wisconsin
Meals of Hope
Not everyone gets a hot lunch, let alone breakfast or dinner. In fact, food insecurity is a major issue for millions of people, and it's a cause near to Dave Warren's heart.
Waukesha Strong
A tragic incident at a holiday parade left community members of Waukesha, Wisconsin, feeling devastated and searching for a way to show resilience throughout the town and beyond. The team at TNT Ace Hardware helped to sponsor a mural to give the community a place to remember and reflect on the events of that day.
