TUCSON, Ariz. — The Muscular Dystrophy Association today announced that Lowe's Companies Inc., a partner with MDA since 2001, is launching the first “Make A Muscle, Make A Difference” national fundraising campaign to help advance MDA's lifesaving mission. The new program will run Aug. 30 to Sept. 13 in Lowe’s stores across the United States.

“For years, Lowe’s employees have been committed to helping MDA make a difference in the lives of children and adults affected by neuromuscular diseases,” said Larry D. Stone, Lowe’s president and COO. “Now with the ‘Make a Muscle, Make a Difference’ campaign, our employees can use their passion and enthusiasm to help advance cutting-edge research, find cures for muscle diseases and, hopefully, help put an end to muscular dystrophy.”

Customers will have a chance to purchase $1 paper mobiles and sign them in support of MDA’s efforts to assist families affected by muscle-damaging diseases.

“Lowe's is the first national retailer to roll out our new ‘Make A Muscle, Make A Difference’ mobile program,” MDA President & CEO Gerald C. Weinberg said. “It’s just one more example of how their employees and customers continue to support MDA and the families we serve every day. We’re so grateful.”

This summer’s “Make A Muscle, Make A Difference” program also will help build awareness for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon held Labor Day weekend. Retailers interested in participating are encouraged to contact their local MDA office or to call MDA headquarters at (800) 572-1717.

The “Make A Muscle, Make A Difference” in-store fundraising effort is being reinforced by a public service advertising campaign with the same name. The PSAs feature celebrities including: Alison Sweeney, host of NBC's “The Biggest Loser” and “Days of Our Lives” star; Natalie Morales of NBC’s “Today” show; Nancy O’Dell, Emmy-winning entertainment personality, author and entrepreneur; Booboo Stewart, star of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” movie; WWE Superstar Triple H; Kurt Warner, former NFL Super Bowl-winning quarterback; and many others.

Clear Channel Radio’s entire network of stations is promoting the Make a Muscle campaign. The PSA’s will be tagged with a call to action encouraging listeners to visit their nearest Lowe’s store or the station’s website to support MDA.

ABOUT MDA

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatment and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. The first nonprofit recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association (“for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity”), MDA provides unparalleled health care services through its network of approximately 200 hospital-affiliated clinics; advocates for the families it serves; and invests significant resources educating the medical and scientific communities, as well as the general public about neuromuscular diseases affecting more than 1 million Americans.

ABOUT LOWE’S

Lowe’s is a proud supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, SkillsUSA/Skills Canada and The Nature Conservancy, in addition to other numerous nonprofit organizations and programs that help communities in North America. In 2009, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support community and education projects in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 500 company, with fiscal year 2009 sales of $47.2 billion, and has more than 1,700 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit lowes.com/community.