ADDING MULTIMEDIA

– Lowe’s Racing for Relief to match Jimmie Johnson’s race winnings this weekend –

– American Red Cross donations to be accepted at all U.S. stores and Lowes.com –

MOORESVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lowe’s announced today it will donate $1 million to disaster relief and rebuilding efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. Lowe’s will work with its national nonprofit partners to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities across the Northeast.

“We’re proud to stand by the Red Cross as they continue to respond to the needs of local communities.”

As part of the $1 million pledge and to help raise awareness for hurricane victims, Lowe’s will match the earnings of five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson from Sunday’s NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway, with a minimum donation of $250,000 to the American Red Cross. Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports together will donate an additional $48,000 to the Red Cross. In addition to the Red Cross donation, Lowe’s will use the remainder of its $1 million commitment to fund local projects in areas of greatest need as identified by its national nonprofit partners.

“Our thoughts are with all the families who have been impacted by this historic storm, and we’re focused on working closely with our partners in the days and months ahead to deliver funding, supplies and volunteer support to the hardest-hit areas,” said Robert A. Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “We’re proud to stand by the Red Cross as they continue to respond to the needs of local communities.”

Starting Nov. 1, Lowe’s stores throughout the United States and Lowes.com also will accept donations to the Red Cross. The donations will help provide food, shelter, emotional support and other assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

As a member of the Red Cross’ Annual Disaster Giving Program, Lowe’s pledges donations on an ongoing basis in advance of disasters to help ensure the Red Cross can take immediate action. Lowe’s partners with Team 48 to provide additional support through the Lowe’s Racing for Relief program. With today’s pledge, Lowe’s Racing for Relief has raised more than $1 million to help the Red Cross assist communities in need.

Individuals can join forces with Johnson and Lowe’s to help provide assistance by donating at their local Lowe’s store. Donations also can be made at Lowe’s American Red Cross Online Donation Site, or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe’s and its customers have contributed more than $23 million for disaster relief.

In addition to Racing for Relief and Lowe’s customer donation program, Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers will assist victims of Hurricane Sandy by delivering critically needed relief supplies and support to local communities.

ABOUT LOWE’S:

Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education^®, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. In 2011, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $32 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

ABOUT AMERICAN RED CROSS:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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