Lowe's Donates $250,000 To American Red Cross Disaster Relief To Help Communities Impacted By Flooding in West Virginia

Customers can donate to Red Cross at all Lowe's stores in the state

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Jul 07, 2016, 03:15 ET

MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As recovery continues in West Virginia following devastating flooding, Lowe's announced today it will donate $250,000 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to help those affected. Lowe's is working with its national nonprofit partners to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities in West Virginia.

Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers have been helping with relief efforts in West Virginia since the flooding. Teams of volunteers cleaned out homes in White Sulphur Springs, one of the hardest-hit communities.

Lowe's of Clarksburg donated shovels, wheelbarrows, trash bags and other critically needed supplies to the Bridgeport Fire Department to help flood victims.

Volunteers from Lowe's stores in East Charleston and South Charleston passed out free cleanup kits Tuesday at community relief events.

Lowe's Heroes have distributed hundreds of free cleaning supplies to help residents in Clarksburg, Charleston and White Sulphur Springs.

The donation to the Red Cross will help provide food, shelter and comfort to those impacted by the historic flooding. In addition, Lowe's has activated its American Red Cross customer donation program at all 18 stores in West Virginia to provide a convenient place for customers to make a donation. People also can make a contribution online via the Lowe's American Red Cross Online Donation Site.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with all of the residents, including Lowe's employees, who've been affected by the widespread flooding," said James Frison, Lowe's director of community relations. "As families begin the difficult recovery process, we'll continue to partner with the Red Cross and do everything we can to help these communities begin to rebuild."

Lowe's has worked closely with the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security to assist flood victims by shipping more than 30 truckloads of critically needed supplies to the affected area. Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers have been helping with relief efforts since the flooding, distributing free cleanup supplies in Clarksburg and Charleston, and teaming with the First Response Team of America to help homeowners clean up in White Sulphur Springs.

Nearly two-dozen people were killed by the flooding, which damaged or destroyed more than 1,200 homes. The Red Cross opened shelters across the state, and 700 Red Cross volunteers are on the ground providing relief. Volunteers have distributed more than 130,000 snacks and meals and 105,000 relief items to people in need.

As a member of the Red Cross' Annual Disaster Giving Program, Lowe's pledges donations on an ongoing basis in advance of disasters to help ensure the Red Cross can take immediate action. In addition to donating online and at Lowe's West Virginia stores, individuals can donate by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe's and its customers have contributed more than $26 million for disaster relief.

Donations to Red Cross Disaster Relief are used to help people affected by disasters big and small. Gifts enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters.

About Lowe's in the Community
Lowe's, a FORTUNE^® 50 home improvement company, has a 50-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. Since 2007, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed more than $250 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility and LowesInTheCommunity.tumblr.com.

About American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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SOURCE Lowe's