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Our Founding Partner and 3 Star Corporate Ally, Lowe’s announces $4.5 million to help provide access to safe homes and job resources
Ashleigh Freda • Jul 15, 2021
MOORESVILLE, N.C., May 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today announced a 2020 commitment of more than $4.5 million to military organizations that promote workforce development, support affordable housing for veterans and provide COVID-19 relief to first responders, as well as Memorial Day tributes in stores nationwide.
For the second year, Lowe’s stores will commemorate Memorial Day by reserving and decorating one parking space at each store to honor the fallen. Stores will also participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time nationwide and invite customers to participate.
“Lowe’s demonstrates our commitment to military every day, not only on days marked by the calendar,” said Joe McFarland, Marine and Desert Shield/Storm veteran and Lowe’s executive vice president of stores. “Our Memorial Day tributes are one way we want to recognize those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and our expanded military community commitment shows how we will make a meaningful difference.”
Lowe’s longstanding commitment to the military community extends to customers, suppliers and Lowe’s nearly 20,000 active-duty and veteran associates. The programs described serve to strengthen the partnerships Lowe’s has built to focus on safe, affordable housing as well as to raise awareness of the skilled trade gap, encourage careers in the skilled trades and support workforce development.
Collaborating to Provide Safe, Affordable Homes
Lowe’s commitment to safe, affordable housing now extends through Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit committed to rebuilding lives and supporting service members injured while on active duty. The organization builds or modifies homes, and gifts them, mortgage-free, to veterans and their families.
Lowe’s is proud to support the work of The Mission Continues, which empowers and deploys veteran volunteers alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to improve educational resources, increase access to parks and green spaces and foster neighborhood identity in under-resourced communities.
Also reinforcing Lowe’s commitment, Operation FINALLY HOME provides custom-built, mortgage-free homes and home modifications to wounded, ill and injured veterans and the widows of the fallen from all branches of the military. Lowe’s partnership contributes home building and modification support to projects across the country.
Purple Heart Homes provides housing solutions for service connected and aging veterans. From building ramps for disabled veterans to providing home ownership opportunities to younger veterans, Purple Heart Homes’ programs are designed out of necessity and fit the specific needs of veterans.
Committing to Support Skilled Trades and Workforce Development
The USO is known as the Force Behind the Forces® and strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation. Lowe’s national partnership with the USO supports military spouse programming and the USO’s Pathfinder® program, which offers a network of resources and personalized support throughout all aspects of transition during their military careers.
Lowe’s partnership with AMVETS includes contributing scholarships and workforce training, helping veterans transition from military service to employment nationwide. AMVETS is the nation’s most inclusive congressionally chartered veterans service organization representing the interests of 20 million veterans.
As military families transition from one location to another, MILLIE provides on-the-ground assistance. Lowe’s support will fund 300 jobs performed by a task services network of military spouses stationed at over 70 installations nationwide known as SCOUTS.
COVID-19 Relief
To support military impacted by COVID-19, Lowe’s has supported emergency funds for injured veterans, essential products for military mobilizing during the pandemic and on-the-ground assistance for transitioning military families. Lowe’s COVID-19 relief with the USO has included providing PPE, mobile unit support, food canteens, hygiene and sanitation for the National Guard and essential military personnel mobilizing during the pandemic.
Lowe’s also supported the Gary Sinise Foundation by donating 2,000 Lowe’s gift cards to their Snowball Express families to support at-home DIY projects and more than 150 care packages to congratulate graduates of Snowball Express, a Gary Sinise Foundation program that supports the children of our fallen military heroes and their surviving parent and/or guardian.
Memorial Day Support
On Memorial Day at stores nationwide, Lowe’s associates will decorate a parking space to signify the tremendous loss of those servicemembers who have fallen while defending our democracy. Each store’s associates will transform a space reserved for veterans, adding unique touches.
Inside, Lowe’s will pause all store operations to observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, May 25. An overhead announcement will invite customers to participate.
In addition, Lowe’s provided 5,000 specialized, padded gloves manufactured by Mechanix Wear to protect the hands of those planting flags at gravesites across the country.
Everyday Support
Lowe’s continues to be an employer of choice for military recruits, assisting transitioning veterans and military spouses so they’re able to find jobs at home, offering workforce training and providing a 10% everyday military discount.
In addition, Lowe’s offers programs like differential pay during service, veteran parking and camo vests for our associates to wear as a symbol of service.
Visit Lowe’s Newsroom to learn more about Lowe’s military partners and view a gallery of stores’ local Memorial Day tributes.
About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 18 million customers a week in the United States and Canada. With fiscal year 2019 sales of $72.1 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ approximately 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com.
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SOURCE Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
On October 22, NaVOBA celebrated the Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year Awards Ceremony during the 2024 National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Conference in Atlanta. Hosted at Cuts Steakhouse, a sponsor of the event alongside Accenture, Shell, and Hilton, the event was complete with a full course meal, drinks, and networking. Mimi Lohm, NaVOBA's Chief Development Officer, kicked off the event and set the stage for the awardees. Keynote speakers included Brandi Rauch, General Manager of Supply Chain for Shell, Che' McFerrin, Associate Manager, Global Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability at Accenture, and Matthew Pavelek, NaVOBA's President. Before the announcements of the winners, NaVOBA surprised Don McKneely, Chairman & CEO of Minority Business News, with the 2024 Veteran's Business Champion Award. The program then went on to highlight two companies who have demonstrated excellence within their industries with the 2024 Veteran's Business Enterprise (VBE)® We Love Awards. The first VBE We Love Award went to Demond Crump, CEO of REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins. Founded in 2019, REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins specializes in providing innovative sanitary napkins and panty liners infused with a Nobel Prize-winning material featuring a super absorbent system. The key to REIGN's success lies in prioritizing their mission over profits, ensuring that the focus on empowering women and young girls takes precedence. Demond served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 1994, achieving the rank of E-5 and specializing as an Operations Specialist. He is Aegis system qualified and brings a wealth of strategic expertise from his military service to his entrepreneurial journey. You can read more about this VBE spotlight here . The second VBE We Love Award was presented to Paden Sickles, CEO of SickFit. Founded in 2021, SickFit specializes in wholesale and custom socks, as well as murals. SickFit caters to a diverse customer base that includes service members, athletes, corporate partners, active individuals, and government entities. The key to SickFit's success lies in its commitment to innovation and authenticity. As a veteran-owned, woman-owned, and minority-owned company, SickFit represents a movement focused on resilience and empowerment, particularly for those in underrepresented communities. Paden served from 2014 to 2024 in the Army, achieving the rank of Captain and earned the Expert Soldier Badge and Air Assault Wings. You can learn more about this VBE spotlight here . NaVOBA then celebrated the 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise ® of the Year: Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprises. Established in 2020, Swain Enterprises specializes in federal projects, including restoration and renovations for military bases, federal facilities, and hospitals in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC areas. Swain Enterprises is committed to providing the highest level of service to government, commercial, educational, and institutional clients. The key to the success of Swain Enterprises has been a focus on integrity, hard work, and strong relationships. From the outset, the company has committed to delivering high-quality work and exceeding client expectations. As a fully veteran-owned business, Swain Enterprises is dedicated to empowering veterans and creating opportunities for those moving from military to civilian careers. You can read more about NaVOBA's 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year here .
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Thank you for your interest in the National Veteran Owned Business Association’s Certified Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (VBE) and Certified Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (SDVBE) programs. This initiative creates a nationally recognized gold standard in certification for veteran-owned businesses of all sizes and enables corporate America to proactively source and confidently utilize businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S. military veterans.
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