Press Release

The Home Depot®, the world's largest home improvement retailer, has selected Tara Lawrence, executive director and founder of Hats Off For Cancer, as the 2008 Hometown Hero award recipient. The Hometown Hero award recognizes an individual committed to volunteerism and improving his or her local community, and is part of The Home Depot's sponsorship of the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

The community service award serves as a consumer extension of the 2008 Academy of Country Music (ACM)/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award, which was presented to the members of the multi-platinum music group Rascal Flatts, Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney, during the ACM Awards broadcast on Sun., May 18, 2008. The Humanitarian Award recognizes country artists who serve others, have a generous spirit and help build the dreams of those in need.

"The Hometown Hero program allows us to recognize every day people who generously volunteer their time and talents to improve our communities," said John Ross, vice president of advertising for The Home Depot. "The Home Depot is proud to identify and honor one of these "heroes" and let them share the spotlight with three other people we see as heroes - the members of Rascal Flatts."

Tara and her guest, Dennis Lawrence were invited to join Rascal Flatts at their KaBOOM! playground build this past October. Tara will also win a trip to the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards. Donated by The Home Depot and the company's national nonprofit partner KaBOOM!, which envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, the playground was built by The Home Depot associate volunteers and community members at Princeton Elementary School in Birmingham, AL, the city of Rascal Flatts' choice.