Posted on 03/28/2003 9:25:15 AM PST by anymouse
Lowe's Power of Pride Salute Hits the Road, Race Track for Memorial Day Tribute
WILKESBORO, N.C., March 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and Team Lowe's Racing are joining forces with the United Service Organizations (USO) to carry out the 2003 Power of Pride program and implement "Operation USO Care Package." The Lowe's and USO alliance will enable individuals to support America's men and women in uniform deployed overseas through personal messages and care packages specially requested by the military.
"We want to give Americans an opportunity to express their personal gratitude to the men and women serving our country," said Robert L. Tillman, Lowe's chairman and chief executive officer. "The Power of Pride is a way for all of us to salute these brave Americans and thank them for all they do."
On Thursday, in honor of the nearly 300 Lowe's employees serving in the National Guard and reserves, Lowe's launched its Power of Pride support efforts with a $100,000 contribution to the USO. Starting today, donations to the program will be accepted at Lowe's stores nationwide and SMI races. Additionally, Lowe's will tour a giant "thank you" banner to the U.S. military. Military supporters will be invited to write their personal messages and signatures on the banner at sporting events and Lowe's stores throughout the spring.
Each person who signs the giant card will receive a commemorative Power of Pride bumper sticker. For racing fans, the Team Lowe's Racing No. 48 Power of Pride show car will be on display.
Culminating the program on Memorial Day weekend, Lowe's will present a Power of Pride pre-race show at the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, which will include a military exhibition, a country music concert and a check presentation to the USO. Additionally, Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Chevrolet, will run a special Power of Pride paint scheme during the race and at The Winston.
"Thanks to this larger than life military tribute, thousands of American military supporters can show their pride in the men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces," added Tillman.
Lowe's created the Power of Pride initiative in the fall of 2001 as a way to pay tribute to the men and women serving in the armed forces and police and fire departments following Sept. 11. In the wake of Sept. 11, Lowe's, its employee owners and customers raised more than $6 million for our U.S. military, police officers and firefighters who risk their lives to save others.
For more information about Power of Pride, please visit www.lowes.com/powerofpride .
About "Operation USO Care Package"
Through "Operation USO Care Package," individuals can sponsor a package for a monetary donation. Corporations may contribute to this program's success through financial contributions, items donated in bulk for the care packages, or through implementation of an employee participation program.
"These care packages help the USO bring a touch of home to our men and women in uniform," said Edward A. Powell, president and CEO of USO World Headquarters.
The care packages contain an assortment of items that the men and women serving in the U.S. military have specifically requested, such as prepaid international calling cards, disposable cameras, toiletries, and sunscreen. They also include greetings from the American public, transcribed onto official "Operation USO Care Package" post cards by the USO.
About Lowe's
With 2002 sales of $26.5 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE 100 company that serves approximately nine million customers a week at more than 850 home improvement stores in 45 states. In 2003, FORTUNE named Lowe's "America's Most Admired Specialty Retailer." Based in Wilkesboro, N.C., the 57-year old company is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com .
"Lowes knows" most homeowners are patriotic.
"Lowes knows" patriotism is good for business.
Lowes is a good place to buy supplies for FReeper rallies. :)
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