Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s Join to Celebrate Heritage, Homes and Community in Recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month

Lowe’s provides $200,000 to support projects for communities in Dallas and Houston

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--¡Celebramos! Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s are joining together to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with two large construction projects that will bring together Lowe’s Heroes, community organizations, schools and local VIPS to celebrate Hispanic heritage while building strong foundations for the future in partnership with Dallas and Houston families. The project includes building two new homes and completing critical repairs on three existing homes in partnership with low-income families.

“It is central to Habitat’s mission to engage people of all races, religions and nationalities in our work to create affordable housing”

Lowe’s, a national partner of Habitat since 2004, is providing $200,000 to support the projects. Building in partnership with Dallas-Area Habitat for Humanity, Lowe’s will join a single father of two constructing his new home alongside volunteers from Trinity River Mission, the West Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Voice of Hope and St. Mary of Carmel Catholic School. In Houston, Lowe’s will partner with a single mother of four building her home in partnership with Houston Habitat for Humanity, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Church and SER Jobs for Progress. Construction begins on Sept. 8 in Dallas and Sept. 24 in Houston, with both houses scheduled for completion by the holidays.

Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers and participating community partners will also work throughout Hispanic Heritage Month to make repairs to two homes in Dallas and one in Houston, working side by side with the current homeowners.

“It is central to Habitat’s mission to engage people of all races, religions and nationalities in our work to create affordable housing,” said Mark Andrews, vice president of Volunteer and Institutional Engagement, Habitat for Humanity International. “Habitat thrives on the diversity of its partners and volunteers who bring so many varied experiences and backgrounds to bear on behalf of low-income families. We’re grateful for the opportunity Lowe’s has created to foster that kind of collaborative spirit in Houston and Dallas.”

The initiative is part of Lowe’s current five-year commitment to Habitat, which includes grant programs, project funding, how-to clinics and underwriting Habitat’s Women Build program. The company’s commitment to Habitat through 2013 totals more than $40 million.

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education^®, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. In 2011, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $32 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at http://www.facebook.com/habitator at http://www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitat.org\\blog .