The gift of generosity: Hometown Secret Santas pay it forward

Nov 30, 2021

Giving Tuesday. A day that encourages each of us to bestow generosity to our family, friends and communities. Beginning Tuesday and throughout the month of December, Lowe’s is making the holidays “twice as nice”. The company’s first-ever “Hometown Secret Santa” project will pay it forward by surprising deserving individuals and organizations in their communities with gifts from Lowe’s.

Earlier this year, Lowe’s celebrated its 100th year of service by launching 100 Hometowns. Through the program, Lowe’s helped fund and provide volunteers for 100 impact projects in communities across the country. Projects directly benefitted nearly 1 million* people spanning 36 states, including community centers and spaces, shelters, housing facilities, playgrounds, cultural preservation sites, gardens, food pantries, and skilled trades projects. Thousands of Lowe’s associates joined with non-profits and community leaders to rebuild areas reeling from natural disasters, repair critical housing, restore beloved community centers, revive green spaces, and much more. 

As these 100 Hometowns grant recipients conclude their projects, Lowe’s is bringing more meaning to the season of giving by transforming each grant recipient into a “Hometown Secret Santa.”  

Each Hometown Secret Santa will receive $2,000 in gift cards to purchase the perfect gifts for other deserving community members and organizations. From gifting a new stovetop to a neighbor who cooks for a soup kitchen, to supplying holiday décor for a single mom who is working two jobs, this season Lowe’s is encouraging grant recipients across the nation to give to those whose holiday spirits need a little lifting and are well deserving of it.

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The journey started with 100 Hometown grant recipient Ignition Lab in Kansas City, Missouri who gifted three local non-profits: Amathyst Place, Reconciliation Services and Journey To A New Life. The groups were surprised with space heaters, working gloves, Kobalt drills, paper products and cleaning supplies to help maintain their facilities and continue providing services to community members in need. CEO/President of Ignition Lab and Hometown Secret Santa Mary Esselman said sharing this gift with others is one of the most rewarding things we can do. 

Q: What does being a Hometown Secret Santa mean to you?
A: I am honored to give back because of how much we have been given by Lowe’s. Being a Hometown Secret Santa allows us to go beyond helping our families to helping ensure our partners can maximize the help they are able to give. Needs are not limited to families with children and these organizations that we’re gifting struggle to find resources for single adults, felons, the elderly and young adults every day. 

Q: How does it feel being given the opportunity to pay it forward to another person and/or organization in your community this holiday season?
A: Being able to pay it forward to another community partner allows us to recognize them for all of the hard work they do.  We know how hard it is to make sure family’s needs are met and we know that resources are the key to family stability.  To be able to pick up the phone and rely on another agency to help is key to helping families reach sustainability.   

Q: What about the holiday’s makes you feel compelled to give?
A: Giving to others is one of the most rewarding things we can do. It is a way of expressing the gratitude we have for all we have been blessed with as we support others in wrapping their arms around our communities most vulnerable.  

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The next stop was Miami, Florida. 100 Hometown grant recipient, Salvation Army – Miami, gifted Camillus Health with organizational products, cleaning supplies and décor to spruce up their facility that provides health services to local community members on a daily basis.

Hometown Secret Santa Alicia Powell is the Director of Development at Salvation Army – Miami and said she was honored to have this opportunity.

Q: What does being a Hometown Secret Santa mean to you?
A: Giving back to our community means the world to me. There are so many deserving organizations and people that strive every day to make a difference in the lives of many. I want to do as much good in my lifetime as I can possibly do. It feels good and so right to give back. 

Q: How does it feel being given the opportunity to pay it forward to another person and/or organization in your community this holiday season?
A: Giving back is so important and brings joy to my heart. Every day at work, I see so many people that are in need. From neighbors in the community standing in line for food boxes to little children leaving the shelter holding their parent's hand, I know this wonderful organization where I work has done all we can to provide all with food, a safe place to sleep and even call home for a short time. 

Q: What about the holiday’s makes you feel compelled to give?
A: Holidays are special for many reasons, and it is during this time of year that "we" as a nation seem to come together and help one another. Our clients living in the shelter are not in a good place in their life. Everyone coming together, to do good, to make someone less fortunate feel loved and truly cared for is special. One act of kindness can change a life and you may never even know. 

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Hometown Secret Santas will be surprising and delighting their communities across the country throughout the month of December. Follow along by searching #100Hometowns on social media.

* Per preliminary project reporting via Points of Light