Community, connection and core values

Jabo's Ace Hardware

Jabo’s Ace Hardware’s commitment to our patients is woven into the fabric of their business

Ace Hardware is known as “The Helpful Place” for a reason. As a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals national partner, their stores raise essential funds for children’s hospitals like Cook Children’s through programs and promotions like Ace Bucket Days and roundup campaigns at the register.

Bill and Renae Jablonowski purchased their first Ace Hardware store in June 2005, and since then have expanded to five total locations in Keller, Coppell, Fort Worth (Westcliff), Hurst and Rowlett. It was through Ace’s national partnership with CMN Hospitals that they became familiar with Cook Children’s.

The Jablonowski family visited Cook Children’s for the first time when they attended a CMN Hospitals event at our Fort Worth medical center. Zach Jablonowski, son to Bill and Renae and senior vice president of Jabo’s Ace Hardware, said that’s when the connection between our health care system and their community became clear to them.

“The first family we met at the event lived in the Keller area. They knew about our store,” Zach said. “We never associated Cook Children’s with being local until then, but they’re taking care of kids in our community. They’re our customers, and they live in our backyard. We live to serve, and if we’re going to say we’re the helpful place, then we’d better put our money where our mouth is. That’s when we really started fundraising.”

Rather than fundraising for many different organizations within their community, the Jablonowski family decided to maximize their impact by designating CMN Hospitals as their exclusive charity of choice. Funds raised at their Keller, Fort Worth (Westcliff) and Hurst locations benefit Cook Children’s specifically.

“We believe there are a lot of incredible organizations fighting for children’s health care, but those other organizations can be selective,” Zach said. “If we were going to do something, we wanted it to benefit anyone in the community who needed help.”

Jabo’s Ace Hardware’s fundraising efforts go beyond national fundraising events like Ace Bucket Days and seasonal roundup campaigns. Their Girls Night Out events feature more than 40 vendor booths, scratchoff tickets and silent auctions with total prizes valued at more than $20,000. In partnership with Renewal by Anderson, a local window replacement company, Jabo’s Ace Hardware donates 5% of every Renewal by Anderson sale made at a booth within their store. Additionally, their Keys for Kids program gives back 10 cents for every standard key cut at their store, and $1 from every auto key.

Rather than seasonal campaigns to encourage customers to round up their purchase at the register, Jabo’s Ace Hardware stores round up 361 days of the year (they’re closed four days for the holidays). Zach said it’s part of their company culture.

“We have a set of core values, and supporting the community falls in line with that,” Zach said. “We can’t just be helpful within our four walls. We want to help in the community, and we have a lot to offer. Our employees have children who have been treated at Cook Children’s, and both my nephews have been treated there. It’s very close to our hearts.”

Jabo’s Ace Hardware’s commitment to their community and Cook Children’s has made a significant impact. In fact, they recently celebrated a major milestone: Since their fundraising efforts began in 2012, they have raised more than $1 million for CMN Hospitals. Zach said they don’t plan to stop there; in the next five years, Jabo’s Ace Hardware plans to raise an additional $1 million.

“We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for our community. Our stores won’t be here for the future if we don’t take care of the next generation,” Zach said. “Giving back feels good, it’s what we want to do and it fits with our core values. It’s just the right thing to do.”

Since their fundraising efforts began in 2012, Jabo’s Ace Hardware stores have raised more than $1 million for CMN Hospitals. They don’t plan to stop there; in the next five years, they plan to raise an additional $1 million.