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 HOMEprovides 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 USOis 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.