Local Habitat for Humanity to benefit from Lowe’s store opening

By April S. Taylor,

Published: November 20, 2008

Lowe’s of Ruckersville will match gift card purchases on December 4 to help fund the 2009 building project of Greene County’s Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
All Lowe’s gift cards purchased at the Lowe’s of Ruckersville on Thursday, December 4 7am-9pm, will be matched dollar-for-dollar (up to $5,000) with Lowe’s in-store credit for the Greene County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity’s use on its next project.  Habitat for Humanity is currently raising funds to build its third home in Greene County and expects to break ground in the Spring of 2009.
“Building homes and building hope” is more than simply a slogan for the Greene County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  It is also the reason that this dedicated group of volunteers exists - to build affordable housing for families hoping to participate in the American dream.  There is an affordable housing crisis in the Greater Charlottesville area and Habitat’s goal is to not only provide affordable housing to low income residents of Greene County but to provide models for how other organizations can get involved to achieve similar goals.  The challenge is daunting and a community-wide effort, to include important private sector partners like Lowe’s, is required.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, voluntary organization that works at both local and international levels to provide affordable housing for families that are priced out of the real estate market.  Habitat volunteers work side-by-side with partner families to plan and construct high quality, affordable housing.  Habitat houses are sold to partner families at cost with a no-interest mortgage.  Monthly mortgage payments are channeled back into Habitat for future home construction projects.
Lowe’s is a national partner of Habitat for Humanity International and is the underwriter for its Women Build program. In addition to contributing more than $2 million per year, employees from Lowe’s stores volunteer on build sites and host How-To Clinics at stores to give volunteers hands-on practice on the basics of construction.