Lowe’s Supports Special Olympics New York Headquarters Move with Donation of Time, Labor, Equipment

Lowe’s “Hero Project” Furnishes All-New Athlete Café with Appliances

ALBANY, NY – When Lowe’s Niskayuna Store Manager Michael Wurst received a letter from Special Olympics New York seeking support for its new headquarters, the timing couldn’t have been better.

“We get money every year through the Lowe’s Hero Project to help out a charitable organization, and Special Olympics New York was a perfect fit,” Wurst said. “In addition to being a great organization that many of our employees felt strongly about supporting, their previous headquarters was right around the corner from our store. We are proud to be a part of this move and to be able to create a better space for Special Olympics NY leadership and its athletes in the Capital Region.”

Lowe’s employees recently moved the organization’s furniture and supplies into the new space, furnished the kitchen with all-new appliances, and will be organizing its off-site facility, which houses equipment and signage for local and statewide sports competitions.

“We are so thankful to Lowe’s and its Niskayuna employees for their generous donations of time, transportation, equipment, and expertise,” said Special Olympics New York President and CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “As Special Olympics New York approaches its 50th anniversary in 2020, we are proud to be headquartered in a space where our athletes, volunteers, and staff can come together – and we would not be here without dedicated community partners like Michael Wurst and his team.”

Special Olympics New York is now located at 94 New Karner Road in Albany. It had previously been located at the Oswald D. Heck Developmental Center on Balltown Road in Schenectady for more than 20 years, a former residential facility for people with disabilities.

The new space includes an Athlete Café with appliances donated by Lowe’s. In addition to serving the day-to-day needs of Special Olympics New York leadership and staff, regular luncheons and athlete leadership conferences will be held in the cafe. The space will also include the organization’s first podcast studio, once funding is identified.

In total, Lowe’s moved approximately 20 shelving units, 40 desks, and 120 chairs, in addition to numerous other furniture items and office supplies. Pictures from moving day can be found here.

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About Special Olympics New York

Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 67,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with more than 170 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.

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