ACE IS "TRUMPED"

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Donald Trump dons a toolbelt in a partnership with Ace Hardware and you could win a chance to meet him.

Ace Hardware will be featured on NBC’s “The Apprentice” on Monday at 9 p.m. Bill Rancic, the season one winner, has been “hired” as national spokesman for several community outreach initiatives. Ace Hardware will be come the first company to utilize its appearance on the show to launch a national charitable campaign on “The Apprentice.”

Before the April 10 episode (NBC, 9 -10pm ET/PT), Rancic will visit ten high schools across the country to inspire students with tips and advice for mapping a winning future and following personal dreams. Ace Hardware stores in those cities will donate $5,000 to each school Rancic visits in order to help fund school improvements and career development.

Immediately following the April 10 episode, Rancic will appear in a commercial that launches a national charitable campaign created by Ace Hardware.

“What a great change of pace to see a huge company like Ace Hardware use their promotional opportunity on ‘Apprentice’ to help local communities across the country,” said Donald Trump.

Throughout its eighty-year history, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store with both customers and communities. Locally, Robinsons Ace Hardware has been serving MetroWest customers since 1874 at its Hudson, and Framingham, Mass. locations.

Ace Hardware and Trump are offering an online contest: “The ApprentACE Sweepstakes” to win a trip to meet Donald Trump and view the final episode of “The Apprentice” with season one winner Rancic. To enter the sweepstakes and for details about “The Apprentice” and Ace Hardware go to Robinsons Ace Hardware’s new website: www.robinsonsace.com. Deadline to enter is April 30, 2006.

Related Link: <http://www.robinsonsace.com>