Lowes & United Way: Together for the Love of Community
Story & Photography by Bethany Sigler Challenges are woven into the fabric of running a nonprofit. In addition to building the community through events and services provided, United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region is the caretaker of the caretakers. Foundational to the mission of United Way is coordinating collaboration of community organizations to manufacture measurable positive impact.
In this case, the answer is Nathan Clark and his team at Lowes. What began as a generous drop off donation of N95 masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves turned into a tour of the Shower-Up operation. Clark says, “It basically sparked from a conversation with Val (Valerie Guzman). We stopped by to drop them off, and we are still here.”
What does that mean? It means that United Way of the Greater While touring Shower-Up, Clark and Guzman were discussing the Clarksville Region is constantly functioning at 100%. Community logistics of Shower-Up, servicing the community, and long term need doesn’t take any breaks, and neither do they. goals. Guzman mentioned that after United Way has a chance to get their feet back under themselves, the next big fundraising The COVID-19 pandemic shutdown our economy, it struck fear campaign is going to go towards purchasing a generator so into the heart of our community, and it changed our entire way Shower-Up can be on the go. She explained that the generator of life. Two things have remained constant during the pandemic- would allow United Way to directly service populations who may vulnerable, high need populations, and United Way’s dedication not have the resources or ability to travel The Well every Friday. to serving them. Our homeless and at-risk populations are in danger now more than ever, and United Way kicked it into After the tour, Clark told Guzman that he would be right back. overdrive. Leaving without much explanation, Guzman assumed Clark had some urgent store business to attend to. In a matter of days, United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region CEO Valerie Guzman and her dedicated team put together a Clark and his team returned shortly, with generators and fans weekly Shower-Up event for Clarksville’s homeless and in tow. The shock, and the sheer magnitude of generosity impoverished. instantaneously brought tears to Valerie Guzman’s eyes. It was a moving, selfless act, and there wasn’t a dry eye to be seen. United Way brought organizations like YAI Paks, Montgomery County Veterans Coalition, Right for One Ministries, Urban Clark told VIP, “Everyone is out serving the community, and we Ministries, the Mathew Walker Clinic, Radical Mission, I am just wanted to be a small part.” Clark and his team at Lowes Invisible- Bullying and Suicide Prevention, and so many other single handedly helped the community more than they could businesses and volunteers to provide consistent weekly ever know. The number of people United Way will be able to resources. When there is seemingly no one else to count on, reach and the impact it will have on the community is going to our community can always count on United Way. be astounding. Being a community superhero eventually takes its toll on even Thank you, Nathan Clark, and the Lowes team for taking care the strongest. So, then we have to ask ourselves, who takes care of our caretakers. of the caretaker’s caretaker? THE REAL ESTATE ISSUE & CLASS OF 2020 SENIOR SALUTE • 23
