Tulsa School Gets Big Check From Lowe's Stores

Dan Bewley, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- It's the season of giving, and a Tulsa elementary school experienced a little Christmas kindness Wednesday afternoon. Administrators at William Penn found some money in their stocking thanks to Lowe's Home Improvement Stores.

Christmas was in the air Wednesday at William Penn Elementary. The kids were singing, and the parents snapping pictures.

The day was special in more ways than one.

"Is a thousand dollars a lot of money?" one student asked.

Representatives from Lowe's were on hand with a really big check: $100,000 to the William Penn bank account.

"From our Lowe's family to the William Penn Elementary school we would like to say congratulations," a Lowe's representative said.

"We're elated; we are excited, we are very happy that the Lowe's company has shown such generosity," said Principal Erica Fraser.

"This school had a need that we felt like we could meet and would be beneficial to the community and to the school, and so we just wanted to be a part of that," said Chris Waller of Lowe's.

The money will buy new copiers, update technology in the auditorium and classrooms, and build a covered walkway from the portable classrooms to the main building.

"I think if we had not gotten it we would not have been able to get the things that we're getting. For years we've been wanting a covered walk and have not been able to do that so has made a wonderful, wonderful difference in the lives of our pre-k students," Fraser said.

Principal Erica Fraser had to apply for the grant from Lowe's. She cited the enthusiasm of her kids and the spirit of her teachers.

Lowe's officials visited the school a number of times and say they saw the same.

"Lots of pride in this school, the teachers...you can just see when you go in the classrooms the teachers have in this school and just very impressed with their needs and what we could do for them," Waller said.

The Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation was founded in 1957. Last year it gave away a quarter of a million dollars to schools across Oklahoma.