Americus, Ga. - For every mother who has a good home in which to raise her family, there are millions more who don't. This Mother's Day, women nationwide will swing their hammers to make a dent in the fight against substandard housing as part of Habitat for Humanity International's Women Build program, underwritten in 2004 by Lowe's.

"From L.A. to New York, women from all walks of life are committing themselves to doing something extraordinary this Mother's Day - helping families in need build better futures for their children," said Fiona Eastwood, director of Habitat for Humanity International's Women Build program. "Together Lowe's and Women Build are redefining home making by providing women with the tools to fight poverty housing."

Thirteen Women Build homes will be under construction Mother's Day week in Dallas; Atlanta; Albuquerque, N.M.; Annapolis, Md.; Detroit; Long Beach, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; Miami; New York; Orlando; and Denver. More builds will follow throughout the year with Lowe's support as the 2004 national underwriter, helping to build at least 100 Women Build homes.

"Lowe's involvement with Women Build is much more than a financial arrangement, it is a reflection of our commitment to address the nationwide issue of substandard housing," said Larry Stone, chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "We are helping to build homes everyone can take pride in - our employees, the volunteers, the partner families and the communities."

Women Build estimates more than 500 women will be hard at work on the 13 construction sites using power tools, raising walls and hanging shingles on what is traditionally their weekend to be pampered, and more than 2,000 will volunteer throughout the build process. Many mother - daughter teams plan to spend the holiday building together.

About Lowe's
Lowe's is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation awards more than $2 million annually to diverse organizations across the United States. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer program aimed at preventing unintentional home injuries. Lowe's, a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2003 sales of $30.8 billion, has more than 975 stores in 45 states. For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 92 nations have built and sold more than 150,000 homes to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. www.habitat.org

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Lowe's (NYSE: LOW) is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation awards more than $3 million annually to diverse organizations across the United States. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer program aimed at preventing unintentional home injuries. Lowe's, a FORTUNE(R) 50 company with fiscal year 2003 sales of $30.8 billion, has more than 1,050 stores in 46 states.

More from Lowe's Companies, Inc.