Big Hearts, Small Businesses

Even small businesses can make a big impact. Just look at two Ace Hardware owners. While Ace is a well-known international brand, it operates as a co-op, meaning each store is its own small business—it’s similar to the franchise model, but with much more autonomy.

Ace encourages store owners to donate to their local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). Of the 95 Ace locations in Arizona, 81 of them donate to Phoenix Children’s through CMN.

“It’s really cool, because day to day, these businesses are essentially competitors,” says Susan O’Donnell, director of corporate account management at Phoenix Children’s Foundation. “But they come together to support the health system in a big way, raising about half a million dollars per year.”

Many owners of the family-owned Ace stores have been donating to Phoenix Children’s for decades—if not generations.

PAUL’S ACE HARDWARE

Rounding Up for Kids: Generations of Community Support

Paul’s Ace Hardware is a third-generation-run business that Paul Dauwalder started in Scottsdale back in 1956. Paul’s granddaughter, Julie Buchkowski, runs the operations now with her husband and two sons actively involved, and her dad and sister are still regular visitors of the stores. When Buchkowski heard about Ace’s partnership with CMN, she was instantly on board. “It just kind of seemed like such a natural thing to do,” Buchkowski says. “It’s a great hospital that is available to everyone in the state, so it made sense for our business that has eight locations in multiple cities across Arizona to support Phoenix Children’s.”

Paul’s Ace Hardware raises money by asking customers to round up their change at the register and then matching the amount raised at 10%. Buchkowski says taking her staff on a tour of the hospital made it easier for them to feel comfortable asking customers to donate.

“Taking employees to tour the hospital has been super-impactful so they can see where the money we’re raising is going,” she says.

Each summer, Ace Hardware stores participate in “Miracle Bucket Days.” For a $5 donation, customers can purchase an Ace Miracle Bucket and receive 20% off (almost) everything that will fit inside (some exclusions do apply). Paul’s Ace stores give in other ways too, including donating bikes to Phoenix Children’s families, participating in the annual events and coordinating service projects.

 “We hope we can encourage the hospital staff and just brighten someone’s day,” Buchkowski says.

KARSTEN’S ACE HARDWARE

Building a Legacy of Giving, One Store at a Time

Dave and Cheryl Karsten have been raising money for Phoenix Children’s since they opened their first Karsten’s Ace Hardware nearly 23 years ago. Today, their business has grown to include five stores, all of which fundraise on behalf of the hospital.

“It’s really important to us that we serve our customers and not just within the four walls of our stores,” Dave says. “We really love the idea of connecting with our neighbors and giving back to help families, and we see supporting Phoenix Children’s as a great way to do that.”

Karsten’s Ace Hardware stores give back in a number of ways, including register roundups 12 months of the year. “The money we raise through roundup goes to Phoenix Children’s six months of the year and it’s really amazing to see the pennies add up,” Dave says. “We leave it up to each of our five stores to decide where they want the money to go the other six months of the year. That’s really neat because it gives our stores a way to connect with their individual neighborhoods.”

That connection—and the autonomy Ace Hardware provides—is a big part of the reason Dave and Cheryl’s son, Zach, has decided to take over the business when his parents retire. Dave says Karsten’s Ace Hardware will continue to support Phoenix Children’s for years—perhaps even generations—to come.

“[Zach] has an amazing service-oriented attitude toward the business and certainly has the same desire we do to help others,” Dave says. “That focus on the community, that legacy, that’s all built into our business model and will never change.”