Lowe’s Announces $250,000 Grant to First Response Team of America

Lowe’s Heroes to team with nonprofit to deliver immediate disaster relief to local communities

MOORESVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has announced a $250,000 grant to the First Response Team of America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to responding to natural disasters and working alongside local agencies to help save lives in the wake of destruction.

Founded in 2007 by Tad Agoglia, the First Response Team uses a fleet of highly specialized trucks and equipment to provide immediate assistance after a disaster, when communities often must fend for themselves because the resources necessary for rescue and recovery are damaged, inaccessible or unavailable. The team has responded to dozens of disasters with support services that include opening roadways, performing water rescues, providing temporary power solutions and assisting critical service providers. Currently, the team is deployed in Florida, assisting with Tropical Storm Debby cleanup efforts.

“Part of being human is to see a need and do something about it,” Agoglia said. “We are all a part of communities across this country that help each other in times of crisis. Our goal is to arrive in the crucial moments following a catastrophe and reduce the time it takes for help to reach those in need. This grant from Lowe’s enables us to work hand in hand to help pick up the pieces for those who have lost everything. Together with Lowe’s, we have the ability to help many more Americans affected by disasters.”

In addition to the grant, Lowe’s has pledged to lend the support of Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers to work alongside Agoglia and the First Response Team as they respond to disasters and assist homeowners with property cleanup and restoration.

“Responding to natural disasters and lending a helping hand in times of great need is a commitment Lowe’s has made for many years,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “We believe the First Response Team of America will help us make a larger difference on the front lines immediately after a disaster.”

Since its inception in 1957, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has helped communities through financial contributions and support for employee volunteerism. In 2011, Lowe’s and Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $32 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Lowe’s also responds to natural disasters in partnership with the American Red Cross. Lowe’s and our customers have contributed more than $23 million to the Red Cross since 1999 to support disaster relief efforts. As a member of the Annual Disaster Giving Program, Lowe’s pledges donations on an ongoing basis in advance of disasters to help ensure the Red Cross has proper supplies and systems in place to respond effectively and immediately.

ABOUT FIRST RESPONSE TEAM OF AMERICA

First Response Team of America is a nonprofit organization that responds to communities, free of charge, in the immediate wake of disasters with a fleet of highly specialized trucks and equipment. By studying weather patterns and communicating with leading meteorologists at The Weather Channel, FRT anticipates when and where a disaster may strike and positions its team near storm locations to immediately be on the scene. Upon arrival, the team opens critical roadways blocked by debris and power lines; helps restart and mobilize critical service centers such as emergency rooms, nursing homes, shelters and critical first responder centers; provides temporary power solutions using industrial generators; provides lighting and infrared cameras for search and rescue; performs water rescues with its fleet of hovercrafts; and supplies commercial water pumps to empty out low-lying areas of cities and critical buildings such as hospitals. Since May 2007, the team has responded to dozens of disasters in the United States and Haiti.

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.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Stacey Lentz, 704-758-2173
[email protected]

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.