Lowe's ‘Homes for the Holidays' donation program is underway

WESTFALL - Lowe’s and its customers, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, are helping families in Pike County this holiday season through the home improvement retailer’s “Homes for the Holidays” donation program, which kicks off Nov. 13 nationwide. Already in its third year, “Homes for the Holidays” provides customers the chance to donate to Habitat for Humanity of Pike County affiliate by adding a donation onto their checkout total at their nearest Lowe’s store. The program ends Dec. 11. During the holiday season, representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Pike County will be at the Lowe’s of Westfall to promote “Homes for the Holidays” and recruit volunteers for future Habitat builds. Lowe’s stores will have “Homes for the Holidays” displays at every checkout counter to inform customers of their opportunity to spread the holiday spirit to local families in need. Habitat for Humanity of Pike County has been serving Pike County for 10 years and finished building 10 homes. The Pike County Affiliate plans to build two homes in 2007 with money donated locally and given through grants from Pike County, the United Way, Thrivent for Lutherans and individual donations from Pike County residents and businesses. Local volunteers act as the board of directors, construction crew, fund raiser while also choosing and nurturing families in the program. Habitat offers a 0% mortgage to families who would otherwise never be able to afford a home of their own. The mortgage is usually paid over a 20-year period and money collected from the mortgages go to fund other Habitat homes. Learn more by visiting the Web site at www.hfhpc.org or calling the office at 570-828-1623. “There are few things more valuable to our customers than their homes, especially during the holiday season when families are gathering to share and create memories,” said Larry D. Stone, chair of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “‘Homes for the Holidays’ is a remarkable program because it rallies the communities we serve in an effort to help local families in need attain the dream of home ownership. We encourage our customers to visit their local Lowe’s this season to help support this cause.” Lowe’s, the underwriter of Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build program, has long supported Habitat’s efforts to address the issue of affordable housing. In 2005, Lowe’s donated $5 million to assist with Gulf Coast rebuilding and tsunami relief, in addition to the more than $2 million given annually. Also in 2005, Lowe’s was a premier sponsor of Habitat for Humanity’s 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project, which built more than 200 homes in one week across Michigan. In 2006, Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity kicked off “First Families Building Homes Across America” program, a two-year initiative in which governors’ spouses and other local and state-wide leaders work with Habitat and women volunteers to construct new homes with families in need in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia. For more information about Lowe’s Habitat for Humanity programs, visit lowes.com/habitat.