Lowe's To Support American Red Cross Wildfire Disaster Relief

MOORESVILLE, N.C., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's 85 California stores will serve as official cash donation sites for donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California wildfires. Through November 30, Lowe's will match in-store customer contributions to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, up to a total of $50,000.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031205/LOWLOGO )

In addition to activating its in-store donation program, Lowe's stores in communities hardest hit by the wildfires have donated bottled water and other products to firefighters and to local emergency shelters set up to house evacuees. Lowe's stores are not under immediate threat from the fires.

"Lowe's is a long-time, valued and committed partner of the American Red Cross. This relationship is critical to our ability to respond to disasters such as the California wildfires," said Kristine Templin, director of corporate partnerships at the American Red Cross. "Money raised through the Lowe's customer donation program will help the Red Cross provide for people's basic needs such as food, shelter, counseling and other assistance following any disaster."

Since partnering with the American Red Cross in 1999, Lowe's has donated more than $17.5 million to aid in relief efforts.

"Home and family are an individual's most important assets, and Lowe's is dedicated to providing assistance to our California neighbors as they rebuild their lives," said Larry Stone, chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "The Lowe's customer donation program will help the American Red Cross in providing essential support to the devastated communities."

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 2006, the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded $15 million to diverse organizations across the United States. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe's is a FORTUNE(R) 50 company with fiscal year 2006 sales of $46.9 billion and has more than 1,450 stores in 49 states. For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.

ABOUT AMERICAN RED CROSS:

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California wildfires, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800- REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.