Amid a year of uncertainty most Americans have never experienced, one thing rang true for all: the importance of home. This Veterans Day, Lowe’s is thanking all U.S. veterans for making home possible by expanding the company’s commitment to the military through new partnerships and programs that advance efforts to offer workforce development, skilled trades education and safe, affordable housing for veterans.
"In a year when home has meant more than ever, we are committed to demonstrating our gratitude to those who make home possible not just on Veterans Day, but every day, and alongside my fellow 20,000 military associates at Lowe's, we say: thank you," said Joe McFarland, Marine and Desert Shield/Storm veteran and Lowe’s executive vice president of stores. “We appreciate the service of you and your families, which is why we are expanding our military support and providing more resources to ensuring all veterans have access to safe and affordable housing and job opportunities as they transition to civilian life."
In honor of Veterans Day this year, Lowe’s proudly presents a special, curated gallery of veterans who have shared their personal thoughts on what Veterans Day – and home – means to them. Additionally, the company announces the following new programs:
Safe, Affordable Housing for Veterans
Lowe’s donates $500,000 to The Mission Continues, offering veterans the opportunity for personal growth and community impact. The Mission Continues empowers and deploys veteran volunteers alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to improve educational resources, increase access to parks and green spaces and foster neighborhood identity in under-resourced communities. The donation adds to Lowe’s $4.5 million commitment to military partners earlier in 2020.
Lowe’s supports Building Homes for Heroes with volunteers, product donations and more as the nonprofit celebrates completing 11 mortgage-free homes in 11 weeks to injured service members across the country. The work is being completed purposefully between two symbolic American dates on Sept. 11 and Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Workforce Development & Skilled Trades Careers
Lowe’s creates fellowships for transitioning servicemembers through a national partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge program. Launching in 2021, the DOD SkillBridge Fellowship program will allow servicemembers to gain valuable civilian work experience at Lowe’s in Store Management and Supply Chain Operation management during their last 180 days of service.
Lowe’s amplifies its support of skilled trades education for the military community, highlighted by four worldwide virtual sessions with the USO. Launching on Nov. 17, each webinar will feature U.S. veterans who are also trade professionals in HVAC and plumbing, as well as electrical and appliance repair. Attendees will learn skills first-hand from experts in each field, as well as different career options, earning potential and benefits of each path. To learn more and register, click here.
Lowe’s releases a series of grant and scholarship opportunities with AMVETS to kickstart military careers in skilled trades and technology. Accepting applications for a limited time, the awards are part of the company’s $400,000 commitment to veterans, their spouses and active duty servicemembers pursuing careers in each field.
Salute to Service Events with the NFL
Lowe’s partners with the Carolina Panthers during Salute to Service to honor, empower and connect local service members and their families. As part of his Lowe’s Home Team community project, Home Team co-captain Christian McCaffrey will partner with Lowe’s and the Panthers to create a welcome lounge at Veterans Bridge Home in Charlotte. The nonprofit organization bridges the gap between veterans and their community by identifying veteran-friendly employers with openings and available resources that include housing. The lounge will be a welcoming place for veterans to connect and in the future, will host several events. Lowe’s will complete other military and veteran-focused projects through its Home Team initiative this season.
Everyday Support
Lowe’s employs nearly 20,000 active duty and veteran associates and was recently honored to receive the Military Friendly® Employer designation for the 15th consecutive year. In addition, Lowe’s offers support such as differential pay during service and camo vests for associates to wear as a symbol of service. For customers, Lowe’s offers a ten percent discount every day and veteran parking.
On Veterans Day in stores, Lowe’s will offer limited edition, military themed buckets for sale and free, handheld American flags for all customers on Veterans Day while supplies last. For all military associates, Lowe’s has sourced Proud Veteran masks from SAMS, a National Veteran Business Owned Association (NaVOBA) certified Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise.
Visit Lowe’s Newsroom to learn more about Lowe’s military partnerships, which also include Operation FINALLY HOME and Purple Heart Homes.
