LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America announced the expansion of Renovation Across the Nation, the coast-to-coast renovation initiative powered by Lowe's employee volunteers and a $3.8 million donation. The 2018 grant will support critical infrastructure and décor upgrades at a Club in each state and the District of Columbia.
In its third year, Renovation Across the Nation will have reached 150 Clubs, totaling nearly $9 million worth of renovations nationwide. Customers can also support Boys & Girls Clubs by donating at any Lowe's U.S. store Oct. 1 to Oct. 31.
To kick-off the campaign, R&B singer Kelly Rowland joined Lowe's Heroes – the retailer's employee volunteer force – to spruce up the Fairfield/Westside Boys & Girls Club in Long Beach, California with new paint, blinds and furniture while also lending a hand on outdoor landscaping projects. Rowland joined the Lowe's team to lead 150 youth in several do-it-yourself stations to teach them hands-on skills.
"My passion for community and service has always been a priority for me on and off the stage, and the work that Lowe's and the Boys & Girls Clubs continue to do in communities across the country aligns with that passion," Rowland said. "Boys & Girls Clubs are havens for many children and help open doors that lead to great futures. I'm thrilled to help celebrate Renovation Across the Nation alongside Lowe's Heroes and these amazing kids."
Nearly four million youth in America, ages 6-18, spend out-of-school time at Boys & Girls Clubs, where they receive support and encouragement to reach their full potential. With an increased donation of $3.8 million from Lowe's, Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation will receive much-needed upgrades brought to life by Lowe's Heroes. Projects include critical infrastructure upgrades that will help increase Club safety and décor updates to make the spaces more inspiring places to learn and grow.
"Lowe's is honored to build on the momentum of Renovation Across the Nation to deliver much-needed improvements to Clubs, which allow children to focus on learning and growing in a safe, inspiring environment, "said Colleen B. Penhall, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Lowe's. "Millions of children consider a Boys & Girls Club their home away from home, and our employees are so proud to volunteer in Clubs nationwide on these critical renovations."
"When kids and teens join our Clubs, they're joining a supportive network of caring and inspiring individuals who are here to serve our communities and Lowe's is a part of that network," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Thanks to Lowe's and the millions of customers who will participate in the in-store donation campaign, we can continue to empower our youth in strong, stable buildings made to support their growth and development."
Since 2009, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Lowe's have partnered together to provide more than $18.5MM in grants to local Clubs across the country. For more information, please visit https://www.bgca.org/about-us/our-partners/lowes.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,400 Clubs serve four million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
About Lowe's in the Community Lowe's, a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe's Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.
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