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

Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church Start Renovations this fall

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lowes, a President's Circle Sponsor of Rebuilding Together, is kicking-off home rehabilitation projects nationwide this fall to address critical home needs 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.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO)

During the course of the fall, Lowe's will support 65 Rebuilding Together affiliates, including Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church, 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 window and/or door installation, insulation, caulking, sealing existing windows and doors, installing energy efficient furnaces and heaters, and other ways to increase warmth and help reduce overall utility costs 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 Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church will work with volunteers, including Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers, to rehabilitate the home of a 75-year-old woman who volunteers her time feeding the homeless.  Nearly two years ago her heating and air conditioning unit failed.  With limited resources, she has had to endure the extreme temperatures of the summer and winter months. When the work is complete, she will have a new energy efficient HVAC system.  Volunteers will also address a variety of other home repairs that will make her home a safer and healthier place to live.

"As 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. Over $7 million has been contributed to support 687 Lowe's and Rebuilding Together projects nationwide.

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 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." 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 supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company's signature education grant program, Lowe's Toolbox for Education®, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Rebuilding Together and American Red Cross. In 2011, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $32 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility

About Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church (RT-AFF)

RT-AFF is an affiliate of the national office of Rebuilding Together.  Our mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of homeowners in need.  RT-AFF has made life-saving repairs to over 1,750 homes by mobilizing over 59,000 volunteers, a contribution of free labor worth nearly 10.5 million dollars. To learn more about how to get involved locally, please go to www.rebuildingtogether-aff.org.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together