Over 150 seniors at the fair got to play Wii Elkhart County Fair, some for the first time.

The Premier Rental-Purchase booth received special billing at the Elkhart County Fair this summer by sponsoring both a "Wii for Seniors" day and a Guitar Hero competition. Both were firsts for the county fair, the second largest in the country with over 300,000 people attending over a nine-day period. The Elkhart Premier store is owned by Mike Lewis who also serves as VP Operations for The Premier Companies.

Premier store manager Duane Fugate came up with idea to showcase the two popular video games. Fugate was pleased to welcome many visitors not only for some fun at his booth but also to build Premier's brand in the Elkhart community.

Over 150 seniors at the fair got to play Wii, some for the first time. Fifty contestants of all ages competed in one of four levels of Guitar Hero, creating such a spectacle that fair officials asked Premier to make this an annual event.

"The fair gives us a great opportunity to get our name out to people," said Fugate. Premier has operated a booth at the fair for the past two years - handing out flyers and cards. "I got the idea that even more people would come to our booth if they had a fun reason to. Folks had to sign up to participate and that gave us the opportunity to get their information and talk a bit with them. We already have had results in the store. It's amazing that after four years in business, some people still don't know what we have to offer."

Photo/Duane Fugate

2009 Elkhart County Fair Senior Queen Beverly Earnhart (left) and 2009 Elkhart County Fair Queen Morgan Lewallen at the Premier Rental Purchase Wii competition.

Fugate is a master at community outreach and keeping Premier in the Elkhart limelight. This year he opened Premier's doors on Sunday afternoons to the Elkhart unemployed, making Premier computers available to those needing to file for unemployment benefits. Fugate wanted to help them avoid waiting in line during weekdays when they needed to tend to children or look for jobs. He also brought Premier together with the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart to raise money for those students wanting to attend the local high school prom but facing financial issues.

"This area is struggling a bit with the economy," says Fugate. "Helping out is the right thing to do. It's our responsibility. Plus we are planting a seed so that when the area gets back rocking and rolling and working, those we have helped out will not think of going anywhere else but Premier for their home furnishings, appliance and electronics needs, whether to purchase or rent."

Fugate enjoys finding new ways to promote Premier and at the same time bring his community together for a cause or with a focus. He was instrumental in bringing to Elkhart the Premier pace truck, famous in the community for starting local car races. The truck, on its way to celebrity status with a personality all its own, appears at many community events and is available for special rides and photo opportunities. Fugate also ensures that Premier sponsors a car at the city's annual soap box derby.

"You've got to have fun along the way," he says. "At two or three o'clock in the morning when I can't sleep, I think about doing these things. It feels good to serve the community. We try to do the right thing."

The national office of Premier Rental-Purchase is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. All Premier stores are independently owned and operated. Visit Premier's website at www.premierrents.net or call (800) 2-Premier and ask for Trooper Earle.