hen individuals within the self-storage community band together for a common cause, remarkable things occur. Such was the case when thousands of self-storage professionals embarked upon Las Vegas in early April for the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, where not only education and networking occurred but a surprising collaboration to benefit those in need took place. The ISS generously co-branded its “Party on the Plaza” reception to support StorageGives, showcasing the power of collective action within the industry.
As most in the industry now know, StorageGives is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting the self-storage community with charitable causes around the globe. Through donations from industry partners and auction proceeds, StorageGives facilitates giving to charities like Water for Life, Shriners Hospital for Children, Sparrow Foundation, and many more.
A highlight of the evening was the substantial $25,000 donation to Kure It, a nonprofit organization founded by the late Barry Hoeven, a self-storage operator who was well-renowned in the industry. Its mission is to provide funding to support the research of underfunded cancers. This contribution, facilitated by the close relationship between StorageGives and Angie Guerin, executive vice president of MakoRabco, underscored the community’s commitment to supporting causes that resonate within their ranks.
The generosity didn’t stop there. StorageAuctions.com provided auction items for the evening, while Warren Dazzio, executive vice president of Cost Segregation Services (CCSI), went above and beyond by donating a Trager Grill. StorageGives also sponsored the booth bingo game that encouraged participants to stop by the booths of companies that made generous contributions for stamps on their bingo cards. Bingo winners were entered for a chance to win prizes like a $2,000 gift card.
At the Party on the Plaza, excitement peaked as winners were announced, with Amy Appleton securing the coveted Louis Vuitton purse and Sue Haviland walking away with a pair of AirPods. “My family has been in the storage industry for over 50 years, and I’ve never met anyone as generous and kind as Lonnie [Bickford],” Appleton said. “Seeing firsthand some of the amazing things StorageGives has done, I’m always happy to donate to their causes. Winning the purse was icing on the cake for sure! These prizes, alongside others, added an extra layer of enjoyment to an already memorable evening.”
Overall, the event raised over $180,000, which equates to feeding 500,000 children in villages throughout Sub-Saharan Africa through Mission Feeding, one of the selected charitable partners of StorageGives. One hundred percent of every donation goes to the selected causes, and events like the Party on the Plaza are underwritten by supporters in the industry.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Lonnie Bickford, founder of StorageGives, emphasized its significance beyond the funds raised for charity. “This was a great success, not only for the money raised for charity but strengthening and growing the relationships we have built within the self-storage industry vendors and operators,” said Bickford. “This event brought awareness to various causes that have benefited from their support. We have always provided the opportunity for operators to donate a percentage through their auctions on StorageAuctions.com, but this is another great opportunity to give.”
Bickford recognizes the generosity of the following companies that contributed to this event on the patron, partner, and steward levels: XPS Solutions, MakoRabco, On The Move, SBS Construction, Spider Door, Storage Commander, Absolute Storage Management, Cover Commercial Roofing, CCSI, Forge, G5, MiniCo, Modern Storage Media (MSM), PTI Security Systems, SBOA, Storable, Storage Commander, Storage Defender, Universal Storage Group, Yardi, and Chateau Products.
“If you have been in the self-storage industry for any amount of time, you get the sense of camaraderie that can be built between organizations,” says John Traver, founder and CEO of XPS Solutions. “StorageGives is one of those very special relationships that can help people we don’t know, those benefitting from these charities, by way of our team helping the people we do know, specifically our clients and their tenants. XPS is grateful for Lonnie Bickford and his team’s leadership at StorageGives.”
While this event marked the first collaboration between StorageGives and ISS, it undoubtedly set the stage for future endeavors, with plans already underway for another joint effort at ISS 2025. Looking forward, StorageGives also has a lineup of state association events on the horizon. As StorageGives continues to expand its reach and impact, its mission of uniting the self-storage community for the greater good serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved when people come together with purpose and passion. For more information, visit storagegives.org.