Sanford, NC -- When disaster strikes, the red cross is normally one of the first on scene to assist those in desperate need of help.

This week one Sanford business destroyed by a tornado is returning the favor.

Monday will mark the one year anniversary when the Lowe's Home Improvement hardware store was destroyed by a deadly EF-3 tornado.

Nearly 100 shoppers and employees survived inside.

Lowe's cashiers are collecting cash donations for the red cross for helping the community get back on their feet.

"I've always seen that on tv, and you always see those things please donate to the red cross and now I realize how important it is because they do such a great thing for every community that they're in," said Manager Mike Hollowell

Hollowell helped safely move customers and employees to the back of the store during the storm.

Lowe's hardware store employees started taking donation on Wednesday, April 11t and will continue collecting donations until next Wednesday, April 18th.

On Saturday, from 9am until 2pm, Lowe's employees and red cross representatives will speak to the public outside of the store and hand out informational pamphlets about storm preparation.

WFMY News 2