HAMPTON, VA (July 27, 2010) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Lowe’s and participating member institutions have partnered with the Habitat for Humanity organization over the past two years to provide families in need with homes.

In 2008, a local family in Charlotte, N.C. had a place to call home before the holidays thanks to the CIAA, Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) student-athletes, Lowe’s, and Habitat Charlotte. The organizations dedicated a Habitat home to the Montagnard family.  During the ribbon cutting ceremony, the three organizations welcomed the partner family into their new home. This project celebrated the completion of the Multi-cultural Build. A grant of $30,000 from Lowe’s helped make the home possible. Additional funding was provided the TJX Foundation.

“Habitat Charlotte feels blessed to be included in this partnership,” said Bert Green, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte.  “We were so excited to know that the family would be in their new home for the holidays.”

In 2009, students from Saint Augustine’s College and Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C. joined volunteers from Lowe’s and a Habitat Wake partner family in raising the walls of the first green Habitat for Humanity home of Wake County. The home is a part of Habitat for Humanity's effort to eliminate poverty housing and provide simple, decent affordable housing built in partnership with homeowners, volunteers and sponsors. Lowe’s, a national partner with Habitat for Humanity since 2003, provided Habitat for Humanity of Wake County a $35,000 grant to build the house. Other supporters include Schneider Electric, Bank of America, FMI, Hunton and Williams, and Cooper Tools.

“As we are building with an eye on preserving the environment for future generations, it’s wonderful to have young adults joining us in this great effort,” said Frank Westmeyer, interim executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. “Not only are they helping Habitat Wake with the first home in our mission to build green-certified housing, their hard work will make the dream of homeownership a reality for a single mother with three children.”

“The CIAA and its partnering member institutions are proud to be a part of this experience with Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity,” says Leon Kerry, Commissioner of the CIAA.  “It’s truly a wonderful feeling to provide deserving families with a place to call home.  Our student volunteers represent the spirit of the CIAA by extending a helping hand to those in need in our communities.”

“Lowe’s ongoing commitment to Habitat allows my colleagues and me to experience first-hand the impact Habitat makes on people’s lives everyday,” said William Johnson, vice president of human resources, Lowe’s. “The Lowe’s volunteers who raise their hammers and offer their construction know-how all across the county, alongside dedicated volunteers, like those from the CIAA and its member institutions, find the investment of their time and energy building this house to be every bit as rewarding as the knowledge that the grant Lowe’s provided to help make the home possible.”

Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte is an independent, nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that partners with people of all beliefs. Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 1983 and has built over 800 homes.

About Habitat for Humanity Wake County
Habitat for Humanity of Wake County develops partnerships with future homeowners, sponsors, and volunteers to build healthy, affordable homes for families with modest incomes.

The homeownership program is designed to break the cycle of poverty. Applicant families qualify for, build and purchase their homes. Adults attend homeownership classes and contribute a minimum of 250 hours of “sweat equity” building their own homes or those of their neighbors. During the process the families save money for a $1,250* down payment, and once they move into their homes, their mortgage payments become seed money that helps Habitat build more homes. Habitat homeowners pay approximately $575* per month on a 20-year, zero interest mortgage.

Led by professional construction staff, volunteers and future homeowners perform most of the labor on Habitat homes including all carpentry, roofing, siding, interior trim, painting, and landscaping. House and lot sponsorships from generous corporations, organizations, faith groups and individuals cover the cost of land, building materials and professional services for foundation work, plumbing, electrical and HVAC.  For more information, visit www.HabitatWake.org.

CIAA
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) was founded in 1912 and is based in Hampton, Virginia.  The CIAA is America’s oldest historically black college and university conference and is made up of 13 college and universities situated along the Eastern Seaboard.  For more information about the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit www.ciaatournament.org. For more information about the conference, visit www.theciaa.com.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. In 2007, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $27.5 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s is a FORTUNE 50 Company with fiscal year 2007 sales of $48.3 billion and has more than 1,575 stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.

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