Community Relations

If you visit Lowes.com, you will be overwhelmed with how many organizations they are involved in, from environmental to educational, Lowes is really trying to do its part in the world.

One of their own programs, the Lowes Charitale and Educational Foundation focuses on getting their employees involved in community and education projects by grants, donations, and home renovations.

Since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Lowes Charitable and Educational Foundation contributed 650,000 to New Orleans Fire Department to rebuild and fix up the damaged fire stations. They have been involved in so many building and remodeling projects for those in need.

Lowes' partnership with Habitat for Humanity in 2003 is still strong, and since then Lowes has donated millions of dollars and volunteer hours to remodeling and rebuilding homes throughout the country.

When visiting the Habitat for Humanity website: http://www.habitat.org/wb/partnerships/wb_lowes.aspx you will find a lot of information about how Lowes has really aided Habitat in its goal to provide homes for the unfortunate. Lowes is also involved with Women Build, which is a a group of women who work with Habitat each year.

“Lowe’s involvement with Women Build is much more than a financial arrangement – it is a reflection of our commitment to address the nationwide issue of substandard housing,” said Larry Stone, chairman of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “We are helping to build homes everyone can take pride in--our employees, the volunteers, the partner families and the communities.”

This relates to the company's line of business because being a home improvment company, it shows off Lowes ability to reliably remodel, rebuild, and create homes. When people see how Lowes is using its resources and employees to help people who can't afford a home, or to victims of natural disasters whos homes have been destroyed, they will think of Lowes when they want to remodel their own homes. Not only does it promote Lowes' supplies and resources, it also enhances the company's reputation. By associating themselves with big organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Lowes is putting themselves out there for a larger audience to take notice. When natural disasters, such as hurricanes, destroys homes, and Lowes is there to the rescue, people will see that Lowes isn't just another money hungry corporation. They are donating their own time and their own money to help everyday people. Even though Lowes is a company that is only successful if it is making a steady cash flow, they give something back to the community. Inevitably, we are helping each other.

The next time you need to fix up your old pad, where are you going to go for the supplies, services, and other resources? You are going to want to go to a place where they actually want to help you, where they don't just look at you as another customer with money to spend. Lowes recognizes a certain need in a customer, and utilizes their own resources for the common GOOD. Now THAT sounds GOOD to me!!!

Good reputation???

To learn more about the organizations and Lowes' partnerships visit:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/SRR/major_partnerships.html&ln=cstln6

LET'S BUILD SOMETHING TOGETHER

The most successful corporations have brand names that are well known in the public eye.


What comes to mind when you see a a red and white bull's-eye?


TARGET immediately pops into your head, along with images, thoughts, and ideas that Target has worked towards associating themselves with.

Lowes is a great example of a company who has utilzed good Integrated Communication. They created enterprise value through a powerful brand identity, developed a shared vision, and encouraged people to act.
When you visit the Lowes web site, you will find so many different services, such as how-to-videos, buying guides, build and grow clinicals, interactive design tools, installation services, as well as countless community service inolvement as well as non-profit organization partnerships.


I believe that Lowe's is trying to convey the message that their company is community based, focuses on the satisfaction of each customer, and works to improving our world one project at a time. The phrase directly under their logo says it all: "LET'S BUILD SOMETHING TOGETHER." I believe that this line refers to whatever their customers dream of building, as well as building a better community for those in need.

Lowe's has been partnered with programs and non-profit organizations doing volunteer work and raising donations for Toolbox for Education, a grant providing financial tools to improve children's schools, Habitat for Humanity, and American Red Cross. By associating themselves with organizations and natural relief recovery programs, they are making customers feel good about supporting their company by buying their products. If Lowe's puting some of their time and money toward the better good of our communities, and people are aware of their efforts, then they will want to choose Lowe's for home construction supplies as opposed to Home Depot.

While constructing a positive brand identity, Lowes has also constructed a shared vision and encouraged people to take action. This is done through effective communication, involvement, and organization. Lowe's Heros gives local employees, nonprofit representatives, and community individuals the opportunity to team up and volunteer their time to improving local problems and needs. They give their attention to fire safety, senior safety, child safety and general home safety, while really "improving our community"

In order to enhance Lowe's image of being a wholesome, wellrounded, community oriented corporation that is building for a better community, Lowe's has been involved in campaigns such as "racing for relief." Lowe's has partnered with the American Red Cross, and developed this campaing, in which Lowe's Lowe's pledges a certain cash amount per lap that car racer Jimmy Johnson completes. In the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard this past July, Lowe's paid $48 per lap completed for both races and $4,800 for either race if Johnson finished in first place. The money raised went toward Red Cross to help provide food, supplies, and other aid to flood and tornado victims. They raised $12,480 during that one race.

Lowe's is a great place to go to when remodeling homes--and just look what they have done for families who have entirely lost their homes? They have developed partnerships with great nonprofit organizations, tried to get as many employees and community individuals involved, and acts as a good example for people to help building toward a better future.

"LET'S BUILD SOMETHING TOGETHER!"