Pepperell Middle receives Lowe's $5,000 Toolbox grant

Photo: Pepperell Middle students and faculty join Lowe's in breaking in one of the new benches in the bus loading area.  Left to right: back row Becky McCoy, principal; Stephen Miller, Lowe's representative; Leanne Canada, Lowe's representative; Seated: Katie Sehreiber, Autumn Leroy and Blake Silvers, students.

Media release: Pepperell Middle School has been awarded a $5,000 Toolbox for Education grant by Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation to help revitalize the school's outdoor entrance and add a student outdoor dining area. Pepperell Middle School is one of more than 585 schools or parent organizations to be awarded a Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant for parent-initiated school improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education across the United States during the 2011-2012 school year.

Pepperell Middle School received the $5,000 funding in order to revitalize the breezeway area connecting the school to the old gym. Several picnic tables were purchased with the funding from Lowe's and the tables were delivered and set in place by Lowe's on Thursday, May 17, 2012. Teachers will be able to take their classes out for lunch or to conduct an occasional class outside at the new tables.  The school also used the funding to purchase benches and outside trash receptacles for the bus loading area in front of the school.

"Lowe's is committed to recognizing and supporting efforts that enrich the lives of our neighbors and customers," said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "By supporting schools like Pepperell Middle, we know we are contributing to a cause that's important to our customers and employees and helping build stronger communities."  Lowe's does not stipulate where the money must be spent but Becky McCoy, principal at Pepperell Middle, felt that the school should use the money to purchase the needed items locally at Lowe's.  McCoy said, "The is a tremendous addition to our school and our program here at Pepperell Middle so we felt that it was only right for us to complete the circle of community by working with the local Lowe's to purchase the items we needed."

Launched in partnership with PTO Today, a leading organization serving parent-teacher groups, the Toolbox for Education program has provided nearly $30 million through more than 6,000 grants since its inception in 2006. The grants have affected more than 3.7 million schoolchildren. Grants are available to public schools in the United States for a wide range of improvement projects and large schools or school districts may be eligible to receive Toolbox grants up to $100,000 for school improvement initiatives. All K-12 public schools in the United States are eligible. Parent groups may apply by visiting www.toolboxforeducation.com.  

Since its inception in 1957, Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation has helped communities nationwide through employee volunteerism and financial contributions.

 

Contact Information: Tim Hensley at hensley@floydboe.net, or 706.234.1031 ext. 7121