Ace Hardware in Commerce hosting fund-raiser for Wounded Warriors

David Schwartz, owner of the Ace Hardware store in Commerce Township, is spearheading a Saturday, June 30 community fund-raiser to help wounded soldiers.

The first-ever event will be held at the hardware store, located at 3050 Union Lake Road, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

“I have a cousin who is a hospital corpsman and who took care of wounded soldiers,” Schwartz said. “He left for Afghanistan and within a few months stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) and ended up as a patient back in the same ward where he worked.”

All proceeds from the store’s fund-raising event will benefit the Wounded Warriors Project, a Washington D.C.-based organization, and will be donated on behalf of the Commerce Township community.

“Not only do they take care of soldiers, but families, as well,” Schwartz said.

Local businesses will be making monetary contributions and raffle donations to the cause. A Weber grill be raffled off every 30 minutes in addition to other raffle items such as gift cards, a massage package, and sports related items and memorabilia. All proceeds benefit the Wounded Warriors effort.

The event will be emceed by 1130 AM radio host Frank Allen during a live broadcast in front of the Commerce Ace Hardware store.

A Weber grill demonstration with a chef will begin around 10 a.m. and will wrap up around 1 p.m.

In addition, Biff’s Coney Island will be holding a hot dog eating contest at noon, during which each contestant eats five hot dogs in a race to the finish. To enter, participants must apply in person at Biff’s or at the Commerce Ace Hardware.

Special deals for shoppers will be highlighted in each of the sponsors’ stores, including Hiller’s; Tre’s Hallmark; LaVida Massage; Re/MAX Royal; Carvel Ice Cream; and Jimmy John’s.

Schwartz said his goal is to raise $2,000.

“We’re doing it for the community,” Schwartz said. “I’m not trying to call attention to my store alone — we’re just hosting the event. This is a community initiative.”