Kane Brown walked into the East Lake Boys and Girls Club in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee with his eyes wide.
And even with a mask on, you could envision the smile forming on the face of James Morgan, the club’s CEO, who was eager to give Brown a tour of the renovated facility – a project that was completed with the country music star’s help as part of Lowe’s nationwide 100 Hometowns initiative in celebration of the company’s centennial.
Brown, who pitched in to apply some of the finishing touches, was amazed at the total transformation. Lowe’s created a new art room, computer room, library and teen lounge; not to mention the fresh coat of paint – Boys and Girls Club blue, of course – along with new flooring.
The before and after image below captures how much has changed in a few months’ time.
“Thanks to you and thanks to Lowe’s, all these kids will now visually see what hope looks like,” Morgan told Brown.
“My hope is that these kids better their lives,” said Brown.
They’ll have every opportunity to do just that at a place like this.
“The building has way more resources than the previous building did,” Morgan told News Channel 12 in Chattanooga. “With the computer labs, more workers, more resources – more kids will come in and we will impact more students and get them on a path to success.”
It’s happening already, with 100 new signups since the renovation project took shape.
“We've already had quite a few teens join up,” Morgan said, “and they stay longer than they used to.”
My hope is that these kids better their lives.
For Brown, who worked at a nearby Lowe’s before bursting onto the scene as a recording artist, this is the realization of a community service project that truly hit close to home. He endured stints of homelessness during his upbringing and knows how important it is for kids to have a safe space where they can set goals and take steps toward achieving them.
“I hope they focus on what and who they want to be when they get older,” Brown said after leaving behind a signed guitar as a memento for the club. “This place will definitely help them. It feels homey. You just want to be here.”
Todd Drew – store manager at the nearby Lowe’s in Hixson, Tennessee – was proud his team was able to play a part in this.
And that pride only grows thinking about what awaits the other communities that are going to benefit from Lowe’s work through 100 Hometowns.
“Seeing the kids' faces is the best part,” Drew said. “That, and the fact that there are 99 other projects like this one around the country being done.”
Click to learn more about all the projects underway across the country.
