Lowe's and Rebuilding Together Address Critical Needs During Cold-Weather Months for Low-Income Homeowners Nationwide

BOSTON, Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's, a President's Circle Sponsor of Rebuilding Together, is kicking off home rehabilitation projects nationwide this fall to address critical needs in homes during cold weather months. Since 2007, The Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation has been an active partner of Rebuilding Together and supports the organization's work across the country.

During the course of the fall, Lowe's will support 65 Rebuilding Together affiliates, including Rebuilding Together Boston, by helping them achieve their mission of giving low-income homeowners a safe and healthy home. Each of the affiliates will receive $8,000 in funding to focus on weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades for low-income homeowners. Recipients can expect to see a wide range of modifications such as new windows and/or door installation, insulation, caulking, sealing existing windows and doors, installing energy efficient furnaces and heaters, and other repairs that will help reduce overall utility costs and increase warmth throughout the home in time for winter. 

This $520,000 grant is part of the overall $2 million Lowe's has donated to Rebuilding Together's mission for 2012. 

Rebuilding Together Boston will work with volunteers from Lowe's, the New England Patriots (alumni, wives, cheerleaders and staff), and NRG to repair the home of an elderly Mattapan homeowner who has lived in her home for 40 years. Work will include energy-related upgrades; home modifications for the elderly and other needed repair to keep the homeowner safe, secure, warm and independent in her house.

As part of the Patriots' Celebrate Volunteerism weekly-focus on environmental volunteerism during the week of October 14, NRG will provide home energy kits to the homeowner and volunteers participating in the day of service. NRG employee volunteers will be on hand to educate the homeowner and volunteers about the use of the kits as well as speak about the importance of maintaining an energy efficient home. In addition, NRG will provide lunch and t-shirts for the homeowner and all volunteers.

"Our relationship with the Patriots allows us the perfect opportunity to reinforce our commitment to the communities in which we serve." said Manny Rodriguez, Vice President of Sponsorships & Charitable Giving, NRG.  "Supporting organizations such as Rebuilding Together is an intrinsic part of our culture and values at NRG."

"As fall and winter approaches, now is the time to act for homeowners in need of critical repairs to their home," said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "That's why Rebuilding Together and Lowe's Heroes volunteers are on a mission to make simple, yet impactful updates like adding weather stripping, insulation and caulking to homes this fall so that low-income homeowners across the country can stay warm, reduce energy consumption and also cut back on high heating bills."

Since the beginning of this impactful partnership, Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation has donated $1 million annually to Rebuilding Together.  In 2012, Lowe's doubled their support to $2 million dollars. Over $7 million has been contributed to support 687 Lowe's and Rebuilding Together projects nationwide.

"Lowe's has been an amazing supporter of Rebuilding Together since our partnership began. We are very appreciative that Lowe's is continuing to support our AmeriCorps service members and act as such great advocates for the importance of improving energy efficiency and safety in housing," said Gary A. Officer, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "Their funding helps ensure that low-income homeowners can live in a safe and healthy home." The grant also supports Rebuilding Together's AmeriCorps program on a national level.  In addition to the energy efficiency upgrades, Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members will help provide safety modifications to those in need, such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars, handrails, and other measures to help prevent falls among homeowners who are elderly and/or disabled. Lowe's has been a sponsor of the Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps program since 2008, giving more than $425,000 in funds to support the members and their affiliates.

About Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together believes that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 200 local affiliates complete 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of nearly 200,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us – visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation
Lowe's is a proud supporter of Rebuilding Together, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country.  In 2008, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $25 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative.  Lowe's is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2008 sales of $48.2 billion and has more than 1,700 stores in the United States and Canada.  For more information, visit Lowes.com/community. Follow us on Twitter @Lowes and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Lowes.

About Rebuilding Together Boston
Rebuilding Together Boston (RTB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income homeowners and non-profits continue to live and work in their homes and facilities in the City of Boston. RTB works through three distinct programs: National Rebuilding Day each April, Year-Round Program, and Special Service Days (May through early November). RTB is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, the nation's only non-profit organization that works to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities at no cost to those in need. Now in its second decade of operations, RTB has repaired over 350 sites with the value of work estimated at over $6.5 million and involved some 20,000 volunteers of all ages and skill levels. For more information visit: www.rtboston.org  

About the New England Patriots- Celebrate Volunteerism
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit entity created by the Kraft family to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants and the donation of signed memorabilia to a variety of charitable causes, and from Patriots players who offer their direct support by appearing at charity functions throughout the year. The Foundation's primary goal is to support programs that aid the youth and families of New England while underscoring the Kraft family's deep commitment to philanthropic activities in the community. Over the past 18 years, the Foundation has made millions of dollars in donations to thousands of non-profit organizations throughout New England and has partnered with numerous community groups, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, the United Way, the Greater Boston Food Bank and a host of other New England charities. The Foundation actively supports nonprofit groups focusing on health, education, youth fitness and community enrichment while also implementing its own programs in those areas of focus. In seasons to come, the Foundation's Celebrate Volunteerism initiative aims to recognize deserving volunteers and inspire others to follow Myra Kraft's example of becoming a lifelong volunteer. For more information about Celebrate Volunteerism visit www.patriots.com/community.

About NRG
NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. A Fortune 500 company, NRG is a pioneer in developing cleaner and smarter energy choices for our customers: whether as one of the largest solar power developers in the country, or by building the first privately funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure or by giving customers the latest smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use. Our diverse power generating facilities can support over 20 million homes and our retail electricity providers—Reliant, Green Mountain Energy Company and Energy Plus—serve more than two million customers. More information is available at nrgenergy.com.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together Boston