Schools

Lowe's Helps Cultivate the Experience of Special Education Students

School district partners with home improvement store to help local kids.

 

For and , this is about far more than seed money.

As part of the district's Businesses For Schools (B4S) program, the Bensalem Lowe's store has agreed to fund and supervise the transformation of a school courtyard into a garden for special education students to cultivate and maintain.

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"Giving back to children with special needs is rewarding to us and reflective of our belief in providing opportunities for all,” said Madeline Urban, human resources manager at the store on Horizon Boulevard.

Urban and store manager Rick Aspinwall explained that the project falls under the auspices of Lowe's Heroes program, which encourages employees to form teams and adopt a volunteer project with a public school or nonprofit organization.

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In September, Lowe's employees will help the students continue their recently-started cleanup of the area. The work also will include the pruning of bushes; the laying of new soil and mulch; the planting of tulip bulbs and mums; the creation of a vegetable/herb garden; and a wildflower garden in the center of the courtyard.

“We are also hoping to restore the bird feeder with a new pump, so the existing waterfall should work,” said Urban.

Pennington Seed, one of Lowe's vendors, is supplying much of the garden supplies.

BHS Principal Bob Anderson said the project will allow the students to work cooperatively on a project with attainable success, giving them a sense of accomplishment.

“I want to thank Lowe's for its generosity in helping with this project. Not only does Lowe's care enough to donate funds, they will come to help with the construction and plantings,” he said. “Our special-needs students will really get a boost by working alongside the adults from Lowe's.”

BHS special education department chairman John Mullin said Lowe's is providing a long-term opportunity.”

“This courtyard project is something our students will be involved in for years to come and we greatly appreciate them helping our students getting started on the right path. The guidance will prove to be invaluable,” he said.

Superintendent David Baugh said, “This will add value to the kids' experience at Bensalem High School as well as be a great learning opportunity with Lowe's.”

The B4S program was started in the spring with the Community Prom Pride Project, under which several local businesses provided gowns, tuxes, flowers and salon services to allow four BHS seniors to attend their prom. To date, a dozen businesses have agreed to take part, committing the equivalent of more than $36,000 in free services and financial donations to the district.

Information provided courtesy of Bensalem schools.


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