EHE News
Lowe's Builds a Legacy at Weinland Park
The 4,000 books contributed by Lowe's Heroes to the JPMorgan Chase Library, Schoenbaum Family Center, put smiles on the faces of teachers (L-R) Meredith Schilling, Harlen Jacobs, and Erin Weirich and three of the enrolled children. They enjoy the books every day.
Lowe's Heroes, a national program with its own central Ohio contingent, showed its support for young children this March by collecting and donating 4,000 children's books to the Schoenbaum Family Center at Weinland Park.
The JPMorgan Chase Library at the center is now well stocked with books to delight children, families, and staff. A portion of the books were given to children who don't have books at home.
"Since 2000, employees engaged with the Lowe's Heroes program have donated labor valued at more than $350,000 to support the Weinland Park neighborhood in partnership with the College of Education and Human Ecology," said Interim Dean Sandra Stroot. "We value the company's commitment to partnering with us to help children and families in this economically challenged community."
Lowe's contributions include -
- October 2000 - During the college's Neighborhood Revitalization Day, central Ohio Lowe's Heroes coordinated students, staff, and alumni in major repairs and painting of two senior citizens' homes in the Weinland Park neighborhood. They also did the majority of the skilled labor, such as replacing a roof and replacing windows.
- March 2004 - The college supported the OSU Habitat for Humanity chapter in building a house on the Ohio State campus, which was then moved to the Weinland Park neighborhood. Lowe's Heroes contributed the majority of the building materials, including kitchen cabinets and basic landscaping materials.
- July 2007 - Lowe's Heroes donated the labor, supplies, as an in-kind donation for the Lowe's Rooftop Deck, a rooftop balcony at the Schoenbaum Family Center used as an outdoor play area and classroom for the children. They also contributed landscaping materials for the courtyard below.
- September 2007 - Lowe's Heroes conducted beautifying projects in the park next to the shared sites of the Schoenbaum Family Center and the Weinland Park Elementary Schools. They provided the materials and worked with children and families to plant trees and shrubs and spread mulch.
Randy Kitts, Lowe's District Manager for Greater Columbus, indicates that the company is honored to partner with the college in these efforts. "We've enjoyed working with the families in Weinland Park and making a difference in the places where they live, learn, and play," he said. "It's our company philosophy to give back to the communities we serve. We're glad to work with a great institution like Ohio State to accomplish that goal."
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