With cold weather starting to set in the region, employees at the Elizabethton Lowe’s wanted a chance to give back to a clientele that continues to be supportive each year.
Playing the role of Santa’s helpers to a tee, staff spent Friday morning boxing up multiple clothing items for the inaugural Operation Hats, Gloves and Scarves project.
Over the weeks, employees and community members donated various gloves, scarves and stocking caps to be distributed to children within eight of the elementary schools in Carter County.
Due to overwhelming support, over 1,000 clothing items were provided to children within the region.
Shane Case, store manager, was quick to praise the fast action of the staff for wanting to come up with a project for the holiday season.
When it came to deciding on a project, giving back to the children was the prime objective according to staff member Brandy Clark.
“We voted on this project to do what we could to give back to needy children in the community,” Clark said. “Kids are what matter to me and when you think about it, there’s a lot of kids in our area that may not have these items.”
Throughout the months, employees work together to provide different projects and outreach projects throughout Carter County. Case stated that the staff took the initiative to reach out for donations, and donated themselves.
“They were excited to do the project,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder of them. Any chance we can give back, we want to. The community has been so supportive to us and we want to return the favor.”
While Friday’s operation was deemed a success, don’t expect momentum to die off for the coming years.
“I hope we’re able to do this each year,” Clark said with a smile.