‘Lowes Heroes’ and local heroes tackle Eldred High School

By SANDY LONG

ELDRED, NY — Kim Lust still can’t get over how many people from the local community showed up last Saturday to spend the day working on a long list of projects at Eldred Central High School. “I lost count after 60,” said Lust, who organized the event in conjunction with Brett Weymouth, manager of Lowe’s home improvement center in Matamoras, PA. The local group assisted a group of Lowe’s employees, who volunteered for the “Lowe’s Heroes” project.

Lust initially sought help for the aging school, built in 1941, by applying for a Lowe’s grant. Lowe’s offers several programs to assist communities and schools in various ways. According to Weymouth, each Lowe’s store has the opportunity to participate in such projects. Volunteerism is encouraged among employees, said Weymouth. “It’s a pleasure to do business in this area. We like the opportunity to give something back.”

As part of the project, Lowe’s provided materials like mulch, topsoil and an assortment of plants with which to beautify the school grounds. Mike Donnelly, owner of Lawn Rangers Landscaping and Hydroseeding in Yulan, and his brother, Jim, trucked in additional topsoil with which to repair the school’s lower soccer field. The formerly splotchy and muddy field was graded and will be hydro-seeded, a professional seeding process that produces a fine uniform turf appropriate for sports.

Many members of the local community, including students, parents, school administrators and teachers, showed up to help paint and refurbish dugouts, install nets and fencing at the tennis courts and plant shrubs and other perennials around the school grounds. At the upper sports field, dugouts and bathrooms were spruced up and freshly painted. “There was such an outpouring of support,” said Lust. “Together, we accomplished so much for our school.”

Weymouth agreed. “It’s a very rewarding experience for us. We look forward to helping out again in the future.”