SUNRISE'S NEW LOOK

The administrative offices at the Sunrise of Pasco County Inc. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center have been adorned with a splash of fresh, vibrant color, and it's all thanks to a giving effort made possible through Lowe's in Zephyrhills.

As part of the Lowe's Heroes philanthropic program, about 15 volunteers from the store's 7921 Gall Blvd. location repainted 1,700 square feet - that's nine offices plus the vestibule and hallways - at the Sunrise office, 12724 Smith Road. Donating three days of labor and more than $1,000 worth of products, Lowe's employees coated Sunrise's walls with bright pastel colors such as Lavender Haze, Gossamer Sky, Windswept White and Woodrow Wilson Maize. In addition, the store donated nine oscillating fans and two sets of hibiscus plants.

"Our offices have not been painted in 14 years," said Penny Morrill, CEO of Sunrise of Pasco. "It was in desperate need of a nice, fresh look."

Earlier this year, Sunrise volunteers visited Lowe's in Zephyrhills in search of the products that would facilitate the repainting project. Upon hearing about their plans, administrative manager Wayne Hernandez offered to make Sunrise the focus of a Lowe's Heroes charitable project.

"Every year Lowe's initiates the Heroes program, where we look for a needy group that needs our help. We donate the work and materials," Hernandez said. "We do things that uplift the morale of the organization."

By offering to repaint Sunrise offices, said Morrill, Hernandez and crew accomplished this mission.

"When the staff first heard about the project, I heard a cry go up of 'Yahoo!'" she said. "It's nice to hear the staff uplifted and excited."

'It's wonderful'

Sunrise program assistants Lillian Hendrix and Laura Farley visited their administrative office Aug. 28, the last full work day for the Lowe's crew. They smiled and took pictures of the proceedings. Both were looking forward to seeing the end results.

"In our work we're always in the 'caring for other people' mode," Farley said. "When people do nice things for us, it's wonderful."

Sunrise board member Connie Ashmore agrees.

"I got choked up when I drove by the office today and saw the Lowe's trucks," she said. "I'm just ecstatic."

Sunrise board member Gail Page added, "Sunrise doesn't have much money and any donation is phenomenal."

In completing the Lowe's Heroes project, many volunteers made their work a family affair. Wayne Hernandez brought his 16-year-old daughter Heather, who according to Hernandez "jumped up and wanted to get involved."

"I think everyone should have a new chance," she said.

Lowe's returns clerk Katy Whyte brought her 3-year-old daughter Kaley Hamilton on Aug. 28, watching with a smile as the little girl applied a paint roller to the wall of the Sunrise reception area.

"I can paint higher," Kaley said, stretching her tiny arms.

"She has always liked to help other people," said Whyte. "And this way she gets to learn and do new things."

Showing that we care

Helping out also is important to Darryl McCallum, a Lowe's associate.

"I've done a lot of volunteer work and feel a definite responsibility to help," he said. "If a person needs help, you gotta help them out."

Lowe's store manager and Heroes volunteer Teri Connolly said that it's important for women to support a charity such as Sunrise, which focuses its efforts on women and families. Above all, she said, it's important for her store and its associates to help people in need.

"It's great to show the community we care," she said.

HELPING SUNRISE

SOME BACKGROUND: As part of a national Lowe's Heroes initiative, Lowe's home improvement store of Zephyrhills volunteered to paint 1,700 square feet of offices and common areas at the administrative offices of the Sunrise of Pasco County Inc. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: Sunrise of Pasco County Inc., according to an organizational website, "is a full-service domestic violence and sexual

assault center providing a safe place for victims to heal and to plan their future."

A LITTLE HISTORY: Established in 1982, Sunrise of Pasco is a private, nonprofit organization that "provides a wide range of services to help victims and their children survive the aftermath of abuse and to move toward safe and enriching lives."

GET INVOLVED: For information about Sunrise of Pasco, visit www.sunrisepasco.org. For information about Lowe's Heroes, visit www.lowes.com/cd_Corporate +Citizenship_674540029_.