Rounding Up For The Community: A HUGE Thank You, Aubuchon & Elizabethtown!

THANK YOU for Rounding Up with Aubuchon!

We’re thrilled to share that our local Elizabethtown Aubuchon Hardware store selected the Elizabethtown Social Center as their May Round-Up campaign recipient—and thanks to the generosity of our community, it was a huge success!

Throughout the month of May, Elizabethtown Aubuchon customers “rounded up” their purchases to benefit the Social Center, raising an amazing $1,421.06. And in an incredible show of support, the Aubuchon company matched every dollar, bringing the total donation to $2,842.12!

We kicked off the month by celebrating this generous partnership with a community BBQ right outside the store on May 3rd. Aubuchon provided the hotdogs, while our Social Center supplied the s'mores! A special thanks to Ethan, Shawn, and Lily for taking time out of their day to help us organize this wonderful fundraiser. Our teens made a significant impact—after a morning mountain biking trip, they spent their Saturday afternoon making s’mores for customers and explaining what Teen Rec is all about. It was a true community effort and a joyful afternoon that reminded us of what support in action looks like.

At the BBQ, we were raising funds for Teen Rec and our GRIT programs at the Social Center.

Cora Putnam Hale envisioned the Social Center as a place for the community's youth when she founded it in 1939. She believed the Center should help teens become responsible citizens in the future. For this reason, the Center has designated hours exclusively for Teen Rec members and their guests. Teen Rec offers teens a space to enjoy sports, games, crafts, and socializing with friends. GRIT, which stands for Growing Inspired Resilient Teenagers, is an outdoor recreational program aimed at mentoring teens in outdoor skills and fostering greater resilience. We participate in monthly group activities exploring the Adirondacks, including Mountain Biking, Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Rock/Ice Climbing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Camping, and more.

Each year, every Aubuchon branch conducts at least one round-up campaign to support a local non-profit or charity. Last year, their local campaign benefited the SPCA. This year, we are deeply grateful to one of their employees, Shawn Atanasoff, for suggesting us as a recipient. Shawn's daughters, Lily and Daisy, are members of the Social Center. These personal connections are what fortify our community.

How will these funds assist us?

• They'll enable us to take our teens out into nature, including an overnight canoeing trip to Lake Regis later this month! Each year, we stretch our resources to make these trips possible, and this support provides us with much-needed relief.

• They’ll also back our annual lawn concerts and children’s programming, two areas we’ve proudly expanded over the years. We’ve experienced fantastic turnout at our community events, and we’re dedicated to maintaining that momentum—all with assistance from partnerships like this.

• As a nonprofit, we need to secure about 40% of our funding from external sources each year. Contributions like this one are not just helpful—they’re essential.

• You’re investing in futures. Your support helps teens develop life skills, confidence, and resilience that will guide them into adulthood.

• You’re keeping kids safe and engaged. Our programs provide a positive alternative to risky environments by offering structure, mentorship, and recreation after school and during summer.

  
  

When you give, you're not just helping a program — you're helping a teen believe in themselves.

We are deeply thankful to the Aubuchon company, the Elizabethtown store team, and every single customer who chose to round up. You’re investing in teens, families, community, music, art, and joy—and we’ll make sure everyone who visits the Social Center this year knows that you made it possible.

Elizabethtown Social Center THANKS YOU!