Habitat For Humanity and Lowe's Challenge Women in all 50 States to Help Build Affordable Housing

/PRNewswire/ -- In the days leading up to Mother's Day, construction crews of women volunteers will join Habitat for Humanity to help build more than 200 houses in all 50 states. In Houston, Texas, they will be joined by Grammy award-winning gospel recording artist and radio morning show host Yolanda Adams and, in Paterson, N.J., New York Times best-selling author Julie Edelman. These pre-Mother's Day activities are part of Habitat's third annual National Women Build Week, May 1-9, sponsored by Lowe's.

National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day to eliminate poverty housing. The event is an initiative of Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program, which recruits, educates and nurtures women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable houses in their communities.

"What we're doing this week is a living example of one of my favorite lyrics, 'The things we do, the things we say are gentle rays of hope that touch us all each day,'" Adams said. "I'm so happy we are able to come together as strong, capable women building more than rays of hope for our communities. We are building futures with families throughout the country."

Lowe's is committing $1 million to National Women Build Week by providing $5,000 grants to 200 participating affiliates. This build is a major initiative of Lowe's five-year, $20 million pledge to Habitat. That commitment includes underwriting of Habitat's Women Build program, as well as providing construction know-how at in-store clinics and build sites, and funding for a variety of Habitat projects across the country.

"Lowe's has been the proud sponsor of Habitat's Women Build program since 2004. This innovative program encourages women from all walks of life to pick up their hammers and build homes alongside Habitat partner families," said Larry D. Stone, Lowe's president and COO and chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "This year marks the third anniversary of National Women Build Week. Lowe's salutes the more than 11,000 engaged women who have volunteered on Habitat jobsites across the U.S. during National Women Build Week to help bring an end to poverty housing."

Since Habitat's Women Build program's inception in 1998, nearly 1,700 Habitat for Humanity Women Build homes have been constructed with Habitat partner families.

"As a mother I realize the need to help empower women," Edelman said. "I hope together, we can build communities where we believe we're all doing our individual best, and whatever or however we do it, our personal best is more than OK! All of us working together - moms, women, families, Habitat and Lowe's, especially leading up to our day, Mothers Day - can truly make a difference by helping women build and maintain their homes, and their sense of self and dignity."

"As we at Habitat continue our work to provide simple, decent, affordable housing, we are both honored and humbled by the incredible support Habitat's women volunteers, sponsors and partner family heads-of-household lend to National Women Build Week," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "We are grateful that all across the country, women are addressing housing needs facing low-income families by joining Habitat for Humanity and Lowe's during this important nationwide initiative."

For more information on Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program, and to learn about Women Build projects in communities across the U.S. and around the world, visit www.habitat.org/wb.

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Lowe’s Donating $250,000 to American Red Cross for Flood Relief Efforts; Activating Customer Donation Program and ‘Racing for Relief’

(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to the flooding in the Atlanta area, Lowe’s is making a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In addition, all Lowe’s stores in Georgia are serving as official cash donation sites to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which helps people affected by disasters like the recent floods. Store employees will also be on hand to answer questions and provide tips for flood clean up.

“At Lowe's, we are committed to forging alliances with well-respected organizations like the American Red Cross, so we can make sure our contributions and donations from customers will get to those in the hardest-hit areas as efficiently as possible,” said Larry D. Stone, Lowe’s president, chief operating officer and chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “In addition, Lowe’s command center is in full activation, and we are expediting emergency product into affected communities to help customers recover.”

In addition, Lowe’s, three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and American Le Mans Series division champions Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz will be “Racing for Relief” at the Dover International Speedway and Road Atlanta this weekend to add to the contribution. Funds raised will help to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of disasters like the recent floods.

As part of Racing for Relief, Lowe’s has decided to donate $48 for every lap of the scheduled 400 laps that Johnson completes in the Dover 400 on September 27. If Johnson wins his race, Lowe’s will donate an additional $4,800. Lowe’s will donate $15 for every mile of the scheduled 1,000 miles that the Lowe’s Team 15 completes in the Petit Le Mans on September 26, and if Team 15 wins its race in flood-affected Atlanta, Lowe’s will donate an additional $15,000. The total amount of donation if both teams win will be $54,000. The Red Cross logo will be displayed on the deck lids of the No. 48 Lowe’s Impala SS and the No. 15 Lowe’s Acura.

“This has been an incredibly devastating event for Atlanta-area residents, and I know there are so many people who need our help right now," said Johnson. “The Lowe's 48 team will do everything we can to get to victory lane so we can raise as much money as possible. The American Red Cross helps so many people, and it's the least we can do to show our support.”

“This is the first time that we have been able to participate in Lowe’s ‘Racing for Relief’ program,” said Adrian Fernandez, one of the two Lowe’s Team 15 drivers. “Luis and I will do everything we can to make sure we win this race and get $30,000 for the Atlanta area. Since the race is in Atlanta this weekend, we are especially excited about the opportunity to help the local community.”

Lowe’s first introduced Racing for Relief in April 2000. To date, the program has helped disaster relief efforts for hurricanes, tornados and floods by raising more than $294,000. Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe’s has raised more than $18.6 million for disaster relief.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the American Red Cross may visit participating Lowe’s stores, donate online at www.redcross.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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