It has been announced by the Home Depot(R), the world's largest home improvement retailer that it is searching throughout the nation to identify the 2007 Hometown Hero, an individual committed to volunteerism and exemplary community service.

The Home Depot® is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer having 2,164 retail stores in all 50 states like in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and China. The Home Depot, through its HD SupplySM businesses, is also one of the largest diversified wholesale distributors in the United States scattered over 1,000 locations in the United 100 States and Canada. The prime business of the company includes offering products and services for building, improving and maintaining homes, businesses and municipal infrastructures.

Being launched in 2006, The Home Depot's Hometown Hero program from the initiation has been closely tied to the Company's sponsorship of the 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music(R) Awards. The community service award serves as the chief patron and also for the consumer extension of the 2007 Academy of Country Music (ACM)/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award. The award will be presented to the country music superstars Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of multi-platinum BROOKS & DUNN(R) on the ACM Awards telecast on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 on CBS(R). It is stated, that the country artists who serve others and in possession of a generous spirit for helping to build the dreams of those in need are recognized by the Humanitarian Award.

While talking to this reporter Roger Adams, the Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of The Home Depot said, "The Hometown Hero program is one of the ways The Home Depot recognizes everyday people who generously volunteer their time and talents to improve our communities and others' lives. The Home Depot is proud to shine the spotlight on one of these 'heroes' along with the 2007 Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award winners, Brooks & Dunn."

It has moreover been informed that the 2007 Home Depot Hometown Hero will receive a trip for two to the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards along with the participation in a playground build with Brooks & Dunn later this year.