Lowe’s $70,000 grant to kick-start neighborhood cleanup July 22

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has been awarded a $70,000 grant from Lowe's to revitalize the Old Town neighborhood in Laurel. The project is part of Habitat for Humanity's Neighborhood Revitalization, a nationwide program dedicated to serving more families through community development partnerships. Lowe's awarded $1.75 million to 20 Habitat affiliates across the country to support community improvement projects ranging from critical repairs to new home construction.

Seaford Lowe's Manager Ryan Hogate fully supports the work of Habitat and is honored to be involved. He said, "I am happy that our Lowe's employees have this partnership with Sussex Habitat and are able to give back to the local community."

Working hand-in-hand with the managers and employees of the Seaford Lowe's, Sussex County Habitat will use the funds to expand the neighborhood Rock the Block initiative in Laurel to include house rehabs, home repairs, neighborhood cleanup, and financial empowerment workshops for homeowners, renters and children. In all, there will be six monthly projects in Laurel beginning with an Old Town neighborhood cleanup dumpster day Saturday, July 22.

"We are grateful to Lowe's for their generous support for Laurel and Sussex County, Delaware," said Kevin Gilmore, executive director of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. "Through their support, we are able to improve the Old Town neighborhood and help build strength, stability, and self-reliance in the Laurel community."

Through neighborhood revitalization efforts, Habitat affiliates offer an expanded array of housing services and partner with local residents, housing leaders, community groups and businesses to transform neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life in communities.

"Lowe's shares Habitat's vision that having safe, stable homes helps bring strength, security, and pride to families and ultimately communities," said James Frison, Lowe's community relations director. "It's important for us to support Habitat's Neighborhood Revitalization program and help revive neighborhoods like Laurel's Old Town, making them places where people love to live."

A national partner since 2003, Lowe's has committed more than $63 million to Habitat for Humanity and helped more than 6,500 families improve their living conditions. Each year, Lowe's provides grants and volunteer assistance to affiliates, supports National Women Build Week, and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills.

For more information, go to www.sussexcountyhabitat.org and www.Newsroom.Lowes.com.