25 Years of Compassion: Lowe’s Employee Relief Fund Continues to Support Associates in Times of Need

When Mark Reznik was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in 2016, he worried about his prognosis and the cost of his medical treatment.

His worries were compounded when he learned he'd need to take a leave of absence from his part-time job in Outside Lawn & Garden at the Lowe's in Westland, Michigan.

He left treatment in his doctors' hands. And he soon learned that he could leave some of his financial concerns to Lowe's.

The Lowe's Employee Relief Fund, Inc. (LERF) was just that - a relief. Reznik said it "was instrumental as I had a tremendous amount of medical expenses. I initially found out about the fund through our HR representative. Once I knew what the process was, it was very easy to fill out the application. And the approval was pretty rapid."

LERF is funded by Lowe's employees themselves. Since its inception 25 years ago, the fund - which combines employee donations and a company match program - has helped associates undergoing significant personal hardship. Whether it's property damage from a natural disaster, fire or other cause; family bereavement or - as in Reznik's case - medical expenses, the LERF team is ready to help.

To date, over 55,000 associates have had some of their financial worries eased. The fund has distributed over $67 million in aid to associates in need.  

In 2024 alone, almost 7,000 associates were awarded a total of $8.7 million in grants.

"I felt very appreciative of my coworkers who helped fund the Lowe's Employee Relief Fund," Reznik said, adding that they're supporting "something … unpredictable that can happen to any of us."

"I feel awesome about the support this company provided a part-time employee," he added.

After undergoing chemo and radiation treatments, Reznik returned to work in 2017.

'This can happen to any of us'

Reznik wrote to Green to thank him - and every Lowe's associate who contributed to the fund - for their help.

Dear Lowe's associates:

Sometimes, the pace of business seems to be conducted so swiftly that we may have the tendency to overlook saying, 'Thank you for a job well done.' Let me assure you that I value and appreciate your support and approval through the Lowe's Employee Relief Fund …

I write this letter to thank you for your incredible support and assistance during my medical emergency. Your contribution to the Lowe's Employee Relief Fund has been invaluable, and your kindness has truly touched my heart. This can happen to any of us, and your support has shown how strong our community is.

"Part of my upbringing was always to send some type of acknowledgement … and I sent a thank you note to the people that helped me through the process," Reznik said recently. "I never thought that a thank-you note I wrote seven years ago would resurface. And I really appreciate that the letter was kept by Lowe's Corporate all these years."

Reznik, who's in good health today, added to any Lowe's associate considering contributing to this fund: "Let me assure you: This is valuable to us all. You never know what the future has in store for you."

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