Rebuilding Together, Lowe's and Carter's Kids Repair Homes and Revitalize Houston Community

HOUSTON, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit, and its Houston affiliate are teaming up with Lowe's and Carter's Kids to provide critical home repairs to four homes, build a playground and make improvements to an elementary school and a community center in the Magnolia Park neighborhood in Houston.

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

More than 175 Lowe's Heroes and other volunteers will join Rebuilding Together Houston on November 6 and 7 for this two-day community revitalization project. As part of a $60,000 Lowe's grant, local homeowners will receive accessibility modifications and significant safety upgrades. These renovations will safeguard the families' health and ensure their safety as they continue to live in their homes.

In addition to the updates to homes throughout the community, Carter's Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and promoting awareness of fitness and self-esteem for America's youth, will join Rebuilding Together and Lowe's to build a new playground at De Zavala Park.  Volunteers also will make improvements to the De Zavala Elementary School and Magnolia Community Center. Carter Oosterhouse will build alongside the volunteers and dedicate the new space on Thursday, Nov. 7.

"Thanks to our partnership with Lowe's, Rebuilding Together will help improve the lives of families who love their homes and neighborhood, as well as make the community a better place to live," said Charley Shimanski, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together.  "We also appreciate the assistance from Rebuilding Together Houston's community partners as well as the contributions by the Lowe's Heroes Houston volunteers who continue to give back to their communities by making critical repairs to keep families safe in their homes."

Since 2007, Lowe's has contributed more than $9 million to Rebuilding Together and successfully completely nearly 1,000 projects across the country.

"It's a pleasure to partner with Rebuilding Together because the work we do, not only benefits individuals, but impacts entire communities," said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe's director of community relations. "Helping our neighbors make much-needed updates to their homes builds a renewed sense of pride and engagement that is contagious to others around them; and the gift of a new playground where the entire neighborhood can gather, strengthens the community."

About Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes community starts at 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 187 local affiliates completed 10,400 rebuild projects in 2012 thanks to the efforts of 100,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us – visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About Rebuilding Together Houston
Rebuilding Together Houston is Houston's largest community outreach organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods. Rebuilding Together Houston provides home repair and renovation services at no cost to low-income homeowners in need, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people impacted by natural disasters. Through the support of individuals, corporations, public funding agencies, faith-based organizations and the hands-on work of thousands of volunteers, Rebuilding Together Houston repairs homes, helping homeowners to stay Warm, Safe and Dry.

About Lowe's
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 more than $36 million to 8,000 K-12 public schools, benefiting more than 4 million schoolchildren. Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together and the American Red Cross. In 2012, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility and LowesInTheCommunity.tumblr.com.

About Carter's Kids
Carter's Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and promoting awareness of fitness and self-esteem for America's youth. Founded in 2008 by TV host Carter Oosterhouse, the purpose of Carter's Kids is to increase the activity level of kids by building and developing community parks and playgrounds in their neighborhoods. These play spaces have been found to have a positive effect on the cognitive, social and physical development of the children who use them.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together