Jonesborough veteran receives home repairs in partnership with Lowe’s

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (Aug. 20, 2026) — Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene damaged his home, a Jonesborough veteran received a helping hand through a partnership between Lowe’s Home Improvement and the Washington County Veterans Service Office.

On Thursday, associates from the Johnson City Lowe’s store volunteered their time and skills to rebuild the deck and fencing at the home of Claude Shelton, a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran. The project was made possible through funding from the Lowe’s Hometown Heroes program.

Shelton’s home and property, located near the Nolichucky River, were damaged by Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters in September 2024.

Work at the home included the demolition of Shelton’s deck and fencing. Volunteers then built a new deck and handrail and installed wood and wire fencing around the property.

The new deck is expected to help Shelton, who is fighting cancer and has mobility issues, move around outside his home more easily. New fencing will also help contain the dogs he shares with his wife, Diane, including a service dog that provides vital assistance to Shelton.

“Our dogs are very dear to us, and keeping those dogs safe is a priority for us,” Shelton said. “It will help us all around.”

The Sheltons were at home the day Helene swept through the region, causing widespread devastation in communities across Northeast Tennessee. Even as their home was damaged, the Sheltons turned their attention to neighbors who were also caught in the floodwaters.

“They were trying to bring people into the house and take care of them,” said Johnson City Lowe’s Assistant Store Manager Lawrence Jones. “They were sacrificing their own well-being to try to support their community.”

This project marks the first time the Veterans Service Office has partnered with Lowe’s through the Hometown Heroes program. When Lowe’s approached the office about helping a local veteran, Veterans Service Officer Dawn Lucier immediately thought of the Sheltons.

“As a disabled veteran myself, I know the trials that we go through,” Lucier said. “It makes me so happy to be able to help.”

Shelton is one of thousands of Washington County veterans who use the Veterans Service Office to help with their benefits and find other resources. Knowing how vital the office is to her, Diane Shelton was honored to see the office nominate her husband for the project.

“Claude made sacrifices for his country,” Shelton said. “It’s nice to see a little bit of it come back to him. He deserves it.”

While Lucier works for veterans every day, she said this opportunity is an important reminder of the need across the county.

“If I could give every veteran this opportunity, I would do it in a heartbeat,” Lucier said. “I know there’s many veterans that need this help.”

The project reflects the mission of the Lowe’s Hometown Heroes program to serve those who served.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for us to give back to the community and our veterans,” Jones said. “We’re just excited to help a local family and make a difference in their daily lives.”

Approximately 20 Lowe’s associates came to the home Thursday with the goal of completing the work in a single day.