Southwest Florida Lowe’s stores help make MDA history
Defying typical nonprofit fundraising across the United States this year, Lowe’s is at the top of a long list of retail and restaurant partners to report a record-breaking $18 million in Shamrocks Against Dystrophy sales. At the conclusion of the 26th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign, Lowe’s reported $4.3 million in sales, nearly doubling the previous record of $2.3 million raised by one retail grocery two years ago. The $1 and $5 Shamrocks donations have now raised more than $200 million for Jerry’s Kids.
Generous customers of the more than 1,600 participating Lowe’s locations showed their commitment to the Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign through donations starting at $1. Several partners, including Lowe’s, extended the program beyond the original March 17 deadline due to its overwhelming success and the greater need in tough times that has left nonprofits struggling to raise funds. Although a nationwide effort, all money raised stays in local communities and provides hope to families living with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.
“??We want to thank to our loyal customers for their tremendous support and are extremely proud of our Lowe’??s team that got behind this effort 100 percent,” said Richard Epps, district manager of the Lowe’??s of Southwest Florida.
“??We’re grateful to our partners for reaching out to their customers, for even a small donation,” MDA President and CEO Gerald C. Weinberg said in a prepared statement. “??The overwhelming generosity of the local Southwest Florida community demonstrates that there is so much good in the world. We can’??t thank everyone enough.”
Through Shamrocks Against Dystrophy, $1 and $5 donations help fund research for treatments and cures, support group sessions, clinic fees, MDA summer camp, mobility and communication devices, and much more.
For more information about MDA, visit www.mda.org