Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation is committed to supporting projects that improve schools and benefit communities. In 2010, the foundation served both missions through a wide range of grants.
- Students in Worcester, Mass., love their new outdoor classrooms made possible by Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation and volunteers from Lowe's stores in Worcester, Westborough and Leominster. Lincoln Street School and Midland Street School shared a $100,000 grant from Lowe's Foundation. The grant also funded the resurfacing of playground areas along with new playground equipment, new sod for a field and tables for the outdoor classroom. More than 250 Lincoln students sung a special song written for Lowe's as a thank-you for the new outdoor spaces.
- The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy received a $25,000 grant from Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation to help rehabilitate and reopen the historic Iron Masters Mansion as a hostel and educational center in Gardners, Pa. The 183-year-old mansion served as a famed hostel and halfway marker for Appalachian Trail hikers for more than 26 years before being closed in May. It's also been home to some of Pennsylvania's most notable residents, including leading Civil War financier Jay Cooke, and it was a stop for slaves seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad. In addition to the funds for lighting fixtures, kitchen remodeling elements and landscaping materials, Lowe's has provided technical and hands-on support. "The Lowe's folks have gone above and beyond," said Debbie Bowman, executive director of the conservancy.
- Weldon Elementary School was awarded a $100,000 grant to renovate dilapidated restrooms, improve security, enhance technology and provide other needed renovations for the school in Weldon, N.C. The project will provide basic needs of privacy, sanitation and safety as well as an enhanced learning environment for teachers and students. Dr. Elie Bracy III, superintendent for Weldon City Schools, acknowledged the importance of receiving community support, especially during a time of difficult budget choices. "This is something we don't have to wait on," he said.
- Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to the Auburn Enlarged City School District in New York to modernize the technology facilities at Auburn High School and to meet the safety and educational needs of students at the school. The grant funded dozens of new tools and state-of-the-art equipment, including workbenches, workstations, storage units, table saws, commercial-grade tool chests and safety cabinets. The new tools replaced equipment that was original to the building in 1970. "Lowe's generosity will enable our students to use tools and equipment they would encounter in a real work environment," said Larry Garuccio, superintendent of buildings and grounds.
- Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation gave a $250,000 grant to the Carolina Thread Trail to develop the Iredell County section of a regional network of trails, greenways and conservation corridors linking 15 counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. The grant supports land acquisition and trail construction. The Carolina Thread Trail offers opportunities for biking, hiking, fishing, paddling and connecting with nature. It's expected to link more than 2.3 million citizens. "We are deeply grateful to the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation for their support of a project that delivers so much benefit to so many people," said Ann Browning, Carolina Thread Trail project director.
- Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation contributed a $13,000 grant to the Naperville Park District in Illinois to support an initiative to plant a variety of trees that will replace those expected to be lost to the Emerald Ash Borer disease. Fifteen percent of Naperville's park tree inventory might succumb to the Ash Borer within the next five years. The grant will enable the district to purchase 120 trees over two years. They will be planted in parks with the larger numbers of ash trees. Lowe's Heroes have helped with the tree plantings.