Rebuilding Together and Lowe’s Repair Nine Miami Homes in 25th Annual ‘Kickoff to Rebuild’ during Super Bowl LIV Weekend

MIAMI, FLA., (JAN. 31, 2020) – Nonprofit Rebuilding Together partnered with Lowe’s, the Official Home Improvement Sponsor of the NFL, to provide critical home repairs for nine families in Miami’s vibrant West Coconut Grove neighborhood. NFL pro-bowler and Miami native Frank Gore joined more than 200 volunteers from local organizations and fellow NFL players to help preserve the historic area as part of Kickoff to Rebuild, an annual Super Bowl-sanctioned event conducted in the Super Bowl host city.

“I grew up in West Coconut Grove and being able to lend a hand and witness the community come together to help their neighbors is truly an honor,” said Buffalo Bills running back Frank Gore. “This neighborhood holds a special place in my heart, and I’m grateful for organizations and businesses like Rebuilding Together and Lowe’s for working to preserve its legacy.”

Led by Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade, a local nonprofit affiliate with more than 25 years of experience serving the county, volunteers replaced roofs, renovated kitchens, installed hurricane impact windows and wheelchair ramps and beautified houses by painting and landscaping. Volunteers also completed restoration to neighborhood landmark Charles Barber Shop and painted a community wall on Grand Avenue.

“Through Kickoff to Rebuild, we’ve repaired more than 155 homes, engaged more than 5,000 volunteers and invested more than $5 million in communities nationwide,” said Caroline Blakely, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “At Rebuilding Together, we work hard to give those in need a safe and comfortable place to live, and we’re excited to work with such a historic and resilient community in Miami.”

West Coconut Grove, known by locals as ‘The West Village’, is one of Miami's oldest and most historic neighborhoods. In recent years, the West Village has experienced rapid gentrification, and the community of mostly modest shotgun and wood vernacular houses has quickly turned into streets of ultra-modern duplexes. Descendants of this once thriving community face the threat of losing homes and are fighting to keep their heritage intact.  

“The houses we repaired today have been homes for multiple generations and have become part of the neighborhood’s cultural history and identity,” said Matt Monroe, Lowe’s south division president. “As a long-time partner of Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s is proud to lend our expertise to these home repairs while shining a light on the importance of preserving the city’s heritage and promoting safe and affordable housing.”

For additional information about Kickoff to Rebuild, visit rebuildingtogether.org. For more about Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade, visit rebuildingtogethermiami.org.