On Giving Tuesday, as millions pour in to support non-profits worldwide, there’s another way to give back: time. Lowe's champions the spirit of giving back by encouraging its employees to invest their time in meaningful community projects, such as the Hometown projects happening nationwide. From crafting new green spaces to revitalizing schools, Lowe’s employees are taking on the role of ‘Hometown Hero’ and dedicating their time to enhancing their communities, like Store Manager James Garst in Mooresville, NC, who led his Lowe's team in transforming Mimi’s Garden at FeedNC.
Reflecting on the impact, he shares,
When you realize the gaps in your community where people either can't afford or do not have quick access to basic life needs, you want to make a difference. That is a huge motivation for myself to find any way that I can use my platform as a Store Manager to give back within the community. This garden our team worked on will enable the local community to access fresh food and many other things they might not otherwise be able to get. It is an incredible feeling to know that the work we are doing helps serve and better our community!
In Vestal, NY, Store Manager Alex Yefremov took on the role of Project Captain for the Village of Newark Valley, Trout Ponds Park project. Drawing on his experiences growing up in Ukraine and Russia during the '90s, he expresses,
I have seen a lot of sadness in life. I always wanted to help those who were in need. I am glad that I had a chance to come to the US in 2006 and become a proud American. But my wish to help people never left me. I am glad I work for a company that cares about the community and helps bring smiles and happiness to those in need, especially with everything going on in the world today. Every day, my goal is to find one person that I can help and make them smile. This project will help a lot of kids and families smile once again and be happy.
Back in Charlotte, Store Manager Gary McCoy, a seasoned advocate of the giving mentality, has logged numerous volunteer hours. This year alone he captained two Hometown projects, plus twelve smaller scoped but highly impactful projects in the Charlotte area. Much like Lowe’s, giving is built into Gary’s core DNA.
I have so much to be grateful for in my life and seeing the impact and work that these organizations make on other people's lives, well-being, and upward mobility is an inspiration to me to better myself and help others further themselves. I see the potential in everyone and the possibility of projects. I love to see people succeed in their professional and personal goals and believe that everyone should have the same opportunity to make it independent of their upbringing, pedigree, or status.
Lowe’s is supporting its own hometown through its sixth year of partnership with SHARE Charlotte, an organization that supports local non-profits in the area. To add to the Giving Tuesday call to support local nonprofit organizations, Lowe’s sponsorship of the #GivingTuesdayCLT event includes matching up to 300 online donations of $50 or more with Lowe’s gift cards for the nonprofit to use. Additionally, during the event Lowe’s is gifting $575,000 across eight nonprofits whose work supports critical home repairs in the Charlotte region.
