Catchfence

ATLANTA (March 4, 2010) – Lowe’s and Kobalt Tools in partnership with SkillsUSA are helping the next generation of trade professionals develop their skills at high schools across the country through their Toolbox for Education program. Lowe’s is donating approximately $1,000 worth of Kobalt tools to each school as part of the national initiative, which will total more than $450,000 to 400 SkillsUSA automotive service technology programs.

Each school will receive a toolkit with more than 300 pieces, including a stainless steel tool chest for storage and multiple wrench, socket and ratchet sets. All of these Kobalt tools carry a Lifetime, Hassle-Free Guarantee, so the tools will be available to students for years to come.

The national program kicked off today at the Lowe’s of Edgewood in Atlanta, where four-time reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson went shopping for the first set of donated items with students from Jonesboro High School. The visit coincided with the March 7 Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

“With school budgets being cut throughout the country anything we can do to help students and schools is worthwhile,” said Johnson. “I’ve seen the incredible results created by the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education program. By providing Kobalt Tools to automotive classrooms nationwide with the help of SkillsUSA, we are supplying students with the equipment they need to succeed. The work they are doing is important and I’m proud to help get this year’s program started with this donation.”

Last year, Lowe’s and Kobalt Tools donated approximately $300,000 worth of tools to more than 500 SkillsUSA Building and Construction Trades Classes and Labs across the country for use in their classrooms.

“By working with Kobalt Tools and SkillsUSA to provide tools to these students, Lowe’s is able to help prepare the future of America’s skilled workforce in their chosen career paths,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “With Kobalt tools in their toolbox and training from their schools and Skills USA, students will be better prepared for success when they enter the workforce.”

SkillsUSA Executive Director Timothy Lawrence added, “SkillsUSA is committed to lifting up students and their instructional programs nationwide. We’re dedicated to preparing the next generation of workers and leaders in the 21^st century work force and our automotive service programs are vitally important to our nation’s future. The students, teachers and ultimately local employers who benefit from this generous donation of Kobalt Tools is tremendous.

“I believe the Toolbox for Education program is an outstanding example of the partnership between SkillsUSA and Lowe’s to build something together that will help America’s technical education programs to have a lasting impact on American workers and communities.”

ABOUT LOWE’S

Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, SkillsUSA/SkillsCanada, and The Nature Conservancy, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities in North America. In 2009, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support community and education projects in the United States, Canada and Mexico. 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 2009 sales of $47.2 billion and has more than 1,700 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.

Follow the Toolbox for Education program on Facebook at facebook.com/toolboxforeducation.

ABOUT KOBALT TOOLS

Kobalt Tools launched exclusively to Lowe’s in 1998 as a line of mechanics tools. The brand has since extended to other types of tools and now has grown to more than 1,000 quality tools offered at affordable prices. Kobalt Tools, the Next Generation of Tough Tools, is one of the fastest-growing tool brands in the United States.  Every tool is designed and engineered to combine toughness and durability with the latest developments in comfort, balance and practical innovations. For more information, please visit KobaltTools.com or Lowes.com.

ABOUT SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. SkillsUSA helps high school and college students enrolled in career and technical education programs to excel by teaching employability skills in conjunction with their trade, technical and service occupations skills. The association’s annual membership exceeds 300,000 students and instructors in more than 3,700 schools and colleges in every state, three territories and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit: www.skillsusa.org.

- GMR Live Marketing for Team Lowe’s Racing,  Press Release