Simone Auster Rebuilding Together Boston 617-971-0058 sauster@rebuilding togetherboston.org

Katie Cody Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (704) 758-4309 Katie.B.Cody@lowes.com

REBUILDING TOGETHER AND LOWE’S TEAM UP TO RENOVATE AND REPAIR A HOME IN DORCHESTER AS PART OF MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY ACTIVITIES

Boston, MA – On Friday, October 30th, volunteers from Lowe’s of Dedham are dedicating their time and expertise to improve the home of Dorchester mother, her children and foster children.
The project includes improving the home’s energy efficiency through the installation of new windows; repairing and renovating the bathroom to improve home health; and, installing new landscaping to beautify the surrounding property.

This project is one of 35 Rebuilding Together projects awarded a $10,000 grant focused on home modifications and energy efficiency. Projects will be completed on or around October 24, which is Make a Difference Day, a national day of helping others. Lowe’s has also sponsored special projects, including a wheelchair ramp building blitz, a home windows installation blitz and other large-scale projects that focus on disabled homeowners and communities impacted by natural disasters.

“To be a part of the community means you roll up your sleeves and work with neighbors to help make the lives of others better,” said Simone Auster, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Boston. “Through these efforts, Lowe’s is helping preserve and revitalize the homes of the elderly, persons with disabilities and low- income families.”

Other local participants include Tom Antonellis, Carpentry by Tom Antonellis and LPC Removal of Norfolk, EFI of Westboro, Ghilani Electric of Natick and Harvey Industries of Walthan.

“Homeownership and community stabilization are issues that are affecting low- and moderate-income Americans on a day to day basis, particularly during these tough economic times,” said Gary Officer, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “With our Lowe’s partnership, we are committed to tackling these issues and making a difference in the lives of low-income homeowners in need.”

“Lowe’s is in the business of helping people improve and maintain their homes,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Rebuilding Together to renovate and modify homes for some of our community’s most vulnerable residents. Lowe’s shares Rebuilding Together’s commitment to creating a safe and comfortable environment to accommodate a homeowner’s special needs.”

Rebuilding Together is America's largest volunteer-based home-repair organization bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of homeowners in need. “Through our rebuilds this week, we’re bringing warmth, safety and accessibility to homeowners who do not have the financial or physical wherewithal to complete home repairs and other necessary improvements,” said Simone Auster.”

About Rebuilding Together:

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. Through the support of corporate sponsors, local businesses and the hands-on work of over 200,000 volunteers led by more than 200 affiliates, Rebuilding Together renovates and repairs nearly 10,000 homes and nonprofit facilities annually.

In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together renovates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on elder home safety, energy efficiency, veterans housing, and gulf coast recovery.

Media Contact: BCarter@rebuildingtogether.org (202) 518-3500

About LOWE’S

Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country.  In 2008, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $25 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative.  Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2008 sales of $48.2 billion and has more than 1,675 stores in the United States and Canada.  For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.

About Rebuilding Together - Boston:

Over eighteen years old, Rebuilding Together Boston (RTB) helps to revitalize neighborhoods, preserve home ownership and prevent homelessness in the City of Boston. In partnership with skilled labor and volunteers this non-profit organization stabilizes and restores the houses of the City’s low-income homeowners and non-profit-owned facilities. This is done at no cost to the recipients who include families with children, the elderly, the physically challenged, veterans and others in need. To date, Rebuilding Together Boston has completed major (often top to bottom) renovations of over 250 homes and non-profit buildings throughout the City. In 2009, to date, RTB has obtained close to $375,000 in donated labor, supplies and equipment in addition to support from foundations, corporations and individuals.