ATLANTA, April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
Whirlpool Home Appliances brand and Habitat for Humanity today
announced the renewal of a partnership that will impact all new
homes Habitat builds in the U.S. and Canada in 2014. Whirlpool will continue to
donate more than $5 million in
products to provide a range and refrigerator in every new Habitat
home built in 2014 and to construct six new homes with families in
need of affordable housing.
"We are grateful for Whirlpool's long-term support and look
forward to another year of working together to build homes,
communities and hope," said Jonathan
Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.
"Whirlpool's generosity and the commitment of its employees are
critical to our efforts to reach more families and impact more
communities."
To continue the tradition of employee volunteerism, Whirlpool
will help fund the construction of homes in locations where the
company has manufacturing operations, customer service and
administrative offices. Locations include Tulsa, Okla.; Amana,
Iowa; Clyde, Ohio; and
Benton Harbor, Mich.
For the fifth consecutive year, Whirlpool will also blitz build
a house with the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. In addition to supporting a
Habitat family, this campus build gives Whirlpool a more personal
way to get to know IU students. With more than 150 IU alumni
employed at Whirlpool, the company uses this build as a unique way
to recruit new graduates.
Additionally U.S. Whirlpool employee volunteers will travel to
Monterrey, Mexico, to rehabilitate
three homes alongside local Whirlpool employee volunteers and
Habitat partner families. All volunteers on the build are involved
in the Whirlpool Ambassador Program, which was developed to create
champions for the company's signature charities. Whirlpool
Ambassadors are actively engaged in the partnership with Habitat
and fulfill leadership positions on local Habitat boards,
participate in construction activities, and represent Whirlpool at
Habitat-related events.
"Together with Habitat for Humanity International and the local
Habitat affiliates, we're proud to announce our list of build
locations this year," said Deb
O'Connor, Director, Global Corporate Reputation and
Community Relations. "At Whirlpool, we are committed to making
moments that matter, and through this partnership, we are able to
do just that by helping families achieve their dreams of
homeownership."
Since the partnership began in 1999, more than 81,000 families
have received a Whirlpool refrigerator and range. Additionally,
more than 150 houses have been built around the world with the help
of thousands of Whirlpool employee volunteers.
About Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity
International
In more than 14 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity,
Whirlpool has developed active programs in more than 45 countries
with a commitment of more than $84.5
million. In North America
and Canada, the company has
donated nearly 160,000 ranges and ENERGY STAR qualified
refrigerators to new Habitat homes, serving nearly 81,000 families.
Additionally, Whirlpool has donated more than 40,000 products to
Habitat ReStore retail outlets, helping raise more than
$5.5 million. A proud sponsor of
Habitat's Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project since 2003, the
company has engaged thousands of employee volunteers, sponsored
more than 140 homes around the world and served more than 24,504
families in Europe. Whirlpool
plans to support the work of Habitat around the world through
product donations, financial contribution and/or volunteerism. For
more information, go to www.whirlpoolcorp.com/habitat.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for
Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a
decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing
provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty,
Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct,
rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates
to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a
variety of funding models that enable families with limited
resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time
and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization,
Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all
races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To
learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is
the world's leading global manufacturer and marketer of major home
appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2013, 69,000 employees, and 59
manufacturing and technology research centers around the world.
The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid,
Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul,
Bauknecht and other major brand names. We earn
the trust of consumers in nearly every country by focusing on what
matters most. Additional information about the company
can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.
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SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International