Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s Work to Preserve Homes in the Dorchester Neighborhood

Boston, MA, June 5, 2014 /3BL Media/ - Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit, and its local Boston affiliate are teaming up with Lowe’s to provide critical repairs and renovations to two homes in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Mass.  More than 80 Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers from Boston-area stores will volunteer on June 11-12 to provide critical repairs, accessibility modifications and other safety improvements as part of a $90,000 Lowe’s grant. These renovations will help safeguard the health of local families as they continue to live in their homes.

“We appreciate the support of the Rebuilding Together Boston, Lowe’s and Carter’s Kids volunteers who are making critical improvements in the neighborhood and at the Leahy Holloran Community Center,” said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. “The tot lot for the preschool children is a welcome addition to the community, and we are grateful for all those who are donating their time and services to make this a reality.”

In addition to the home repairs, Rebuilding Together and Lowe’s will partner with Carter’s Kids to build a new playground for the Leahy Holloran Community Center and provide renovations to the preschool as well as other improvements to the Community Center.

"We’re thrilled to be a part of the revitalization efforts in Dorchester," said Carter Oosterhouse, founder of Carter’s Kids. "The playground will provide a safe, community-driven space for years to come."

Carter’s Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and promoting awareness of fitness and self-esteem for America’s youth, was founded by Oosterhouse of HGTV’s “Million Dollar Rooms” and “Celebrity Motor Homes.” Oosterhouse will work alongside volunteers on both days and will dedicate the new play space on June 12.

“Thanks to our partnership with Lowe’s, Rebuilding Together is able to provide these families with the needed repairs to make their homes and neighborhood safe, as well as make the community a better place to live,” said Charley Shimanski, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together.  “This is a unique opportunity to work with the Dorchester community, and we are thrilled to be a part of this lasting impact.”

Since 2007, Lowe’s has contributed more than $9 million to Rebuilding Together to improve local communities. With the help of Lowe’s Heroes, Lowe’s and Rebuilding Together have renovated and rehabilitated over 1,200 homes and assisted approximately 12,000 individuals, providing low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners with critical repairs, accessibility and safety modifications and energy-efficiency updates.

“It is a pleasure to partner with Rebuilding Together because the work we do not only benefits individuals, but also impacts entire communities,” said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe’s director of community relations. “Helping our neighbors make much-needed updates to their homes builds a renewed sense of pride and engagement that is contagious to others around them, and the gift of a new playground where the entire neighborhood can gather strengthens the community.”

Dorchester is Boston’s oldest and most diverse neighborhood with a six square mile area that merges living space with business districts. Residents of Dorchester comprise of both old families that have lived there for generations and new immigrants. Dorchester faces a variety of challenges and having safe and healthy homes lays the foundation to conquer them.

###

About Rebuilding Together:
Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 187 local affiliates complete more than 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of 100,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us- visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About Lowe’s:
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE^® 100 home improvement company, has a 50-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects.  Since 2007, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $200 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility and LowesInTheCommunity.tumblr.com.

About Carter’s Kids:
Carter’s Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and promoting awareness of fitness and self-esteem for America’s youth. Founded in 2008 by TV host Carter Oosterhouse, the purpose of Carter’s Kids is to increase the activity level of kids by building and developing community parks and playgrounds in their neighborhoods. These play spaces have been found to have a positive effect on the cognitive, social and physical development of the children who use them.

About Rebuilding Together Boston:
Since its founding in 1991, RTB has completed close to 400 projects with an estimated total value at nearly $7 million and engaged over 20,000 skilled and unskilled volunteers. Recipients are unable to pay for critical repairs because of hardships such as advancing age, medical emergencies, low fixed incomes, rising property taxes or stretched organizational budgets. The organization receives no funding from government agencies but relies entirely on contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations as well as donated goods and services from local businesses. All work is performed at no charge. RTB’s goals are to provide a safe and healthy home for all those served and to improve their quality of life, including their security, warmth and independence. For more information, visit http://rtboston.org/.

Media Contacts:

Rebuilding Together
Victoria O’Banion
202.603.2160
vobanion@rebuildingtogether.org

Lowe’s
Natalie Turner
704.758.5966
natalie.h.turner@lowes.com     

Fifteen Minutes
Megan Sekkas
323.556.9700
Megan@fifteenminutes.com

Day of Media Contact:  

Rebuilding Together Boston
Mike Potter
617.833.9295
micapot@hotmail.com