Lowe’s program aids county

The Lowe’s store in Ruckersville does a lot more than sell merchandise for the home — it takes an active role in programs that can make Greene a better place to live.
Julius Bates, director of the Greene County Parks and Recreation Department, was one the first to take advantage of one of those programs.
“We received in-store funding from Lowe’s that paid enhancements to the community park,” said Bates. “The money paid for the supplies necessary to build a pedestrian bridge and three benches, and six trees to be planted and mulched.”
The store also provided volunteers — members of Team Lowe’s — to work on the project.
“They built the bridge and the benches in the store,” said Greene County Supervisor Carl Schmitt, who has a long-held personal interest in the development of the community park.
Lowe’s Heroes is part of the company’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, which supports community improvement projects along with public education and home safety initiatives.
According to the company’s Web site, Lowe’s Heroes is a volunteer program that helps to improve communities where Lowe’s employees work and live. Together, each store team identifies a community improvement project that will make a difference in their community.
“Such projects must better the community. They can involve the public school system, the Community Park, or safety,” said Yvonne McCormick, human resources manager at the local store.
She explained that such projects are done once a year, usually in summer or fall, that that the store does not solicit projects.
Rather, “each store has a representative get out and meet with the community,” said McCormick.
But Schmitt, who is the Board of Supervisors liaison to the Department of Parks and Recreation, went to Lowe’s, and got results.
“I introduced myself to the store manager and suggested that some park projects would be a good fit with Lowe’s merchandise,” said Schmitt.  “The county partnered with the Greene County Ruritans and applied for a grant.”
He explained that the partnership was necessary because all organizations that receive awards from Lowe’s must be 501(c) (3) tax-exempt nonprofits.
The partnership was not awarded the grant, but the store manager informed it there was some money available in store, according to Bates.
“We thought the bridge and the benches would be a nice starting place; that the project would make a difference in the community,” said McCormick.
But the project in the community park may be only the beginning of what Lowe’s will be able to do to better Greene.
The company’s Charitable and Educational Foundation awards millions each year. Recipients are diverse organizations and public agencies in communities where Lowe’s operates stores or distribution centers.
The Foundation focuses on community improvement projects and public education, with priority given to K-12 public schools.
And, the company has a scholarship program. Grants are available, for example, to support SkillsUSA education enhancement programs. The Toolbox for Education grant program provides parent groups with financial tools to help improve their children’s K-12 public schools.
McCormick explained that the company allows each store to select some community projects, and that Ruckersville store employees know the community through their customers.
“People give us ideas about what’s needed, and we will help when we can with something,“ she said. “Organizations submit applications throughout the year, but if the applications are for a project, it helps if detailed plans are submitted as well.“
According to Lowe’s Web site the spring 2010 grant cycle is now open. The deadline for submitting applications for this cycle is 5 p.m. EST, Feb. 12, 2010. However, if 1,500 applications are received before the application deadline, then the application process will close.
All grant applicants must take an eligibility test. Organizations that pass will be considered, but not guaranteed one of the grants — which generally range from $5,000 to $25,000. Each applicant is considered just once per calendar year.
For more information on any of the above programs and more, visit lowes.com