November 9, 2007

For his willingness to give back to the community over the past month, Carlos Arroyo has been named the first Ace Hardware "Helpful Player of the Month".

On October 9, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Arroyo visited Evans High School and spoke at the school’s Spanish Club Inauguration. Arroyo also participated in the NBA’s comprehensive community outreach initiative for NBA China Games 2007 as part of NBA Cares, participating in events and activities in both Shanghai and Macao during the team’s preseason trip to China.

Finally, Arroyo is donating 300 turkeys and accompaniments to Head Start families who are served by the Southwood Community Center on November 12.

Ace Hardware, in conjunction with the Orlando Magic, will honor one Magic player each month during the 2007-08 season as the Ace Hardware “Helpful Player of the Month.” Each selection will be based on their dedication to the Central Florida community and will exemplify Ace’s vision as “The Helpful Place.”

Throughout its 80-year history, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store by both customers and communities. In 2007, Ace Hardware was ranked the “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Major Home Improvement Retail Stores” by J.D. Power and Associates in its inaugural study of the retail home improvement industry. With 4,600 hardware, home center and building materials stores that generate annual retail sales of more than $12 billion, Ace is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace currently operates 14 distribution centers in the U.S. and a warehouse in Shanghai, China, and its retailers’ stores are located in all 50 states and 60 countries. More information about Ace can be found at www.acehardware.com.