Habitat for Humanity Affiliates in Dead-Heat to Win $50,000 From American Home Shield

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The three Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) affiliates receiving awards in the American Home Shield® Challenge for Change(SM) (AHS Challenge) will likely be decided by the last few votes cast on January 31.  

With less than a week remaining in the online voting competition, the battle for the top position and grand prize of $25,000 has become intense between Habitat affiliates in Greater Columbus (OH) and Pierce County/Tacoma (WA).  Both have received more than 45,000 online votes, and totals continue to grow by the hundreds each day.  

And while Habitat Maumee Valley (OH) and Habitat Seattle/South King County (WA) appear to be front runners for the third place prize of $10,000, a last minute rally could push any of the remaining Habitat affiliates into prize contention, including Greater Memphis (TN), Almost Heaven (WV), Chicago South Suburbs (IL), Genesee County (MI), Indian River (FL), Lake County (IL), Morris County (NJ), Detroit (MI), Kansas City (MO), Washington, D.C. (MD) and Habitat Waco (TX).

"The way that these communities have rallied together to support a local organization such as Habitat for Humanity reflects the value and importance we place on living in healthy, safe neighborhoods," AHS Communications Director Nicole Ritchie says.  "We wish the best of luck to all affiliates in the competition and recommend they remind friends, family and co-workers to vote daily."

While Habitat affiliates have relied mostly on local support in the competition, Ritchie also stresses that voters without local ties can still make a big impact.  

"Even if you're not from one of these areas, we still encourage you to get involved and vote daily.  Building better neighborhoods ultimately benefits everyone -- no matter what city or community you call home."  

Votes for any of the fifteen participating Habitat affiliates can be cast daily at http://AHSChallenge.com before online polls close January 31, 11:59 CST.  Official recipients of the $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 prizes will be announced in February following final tallies.  The awards will benefit each affiliate's ongoing Neighbor Revitalization Initiative, an effort to improve local housing conditions by partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life across struggling neighborhoods.  Information on each affiliate's current revitalization efforts can also be found on the AHS Challenge website.

As part of the Challenge for Change(SM) campaign, AHS has launched pages on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ahschallenge) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ahschallenge) to provide fans and followers with contest updates, interesting community facts and helpful links.  For more information, including official rules/terms and conditions, visit http://AHSChallenge.com.

About American Home Shield®

American Home Shield® helped found the home warranty industry in 1971 and remains an industry leader, servicing 1.4 million customers across 49 states. The Memphis-based company operates three customer service centers, employs over 1,700 employees and over 11,000 approved, independently insured contractors nationwide. American Home Shield is part of the ServiceMaster family of brands, one of the world's largest and most versatile service networks. The company's brands include TruGreen, TruGreen LandCare, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec.

About ServiceMaster®

With a network of more than 5,100 company-owned and franchise locations, Memphis-based ServiceMaster is one of the world's largest residential and commercial service networks.  The company's high profile brands are TruGreen, TruGreen LandCare, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec. Through its 66,000 employees and franchise employees, ServiceMaster's family of  brands serve more than 8.5 million customers every year and  hold market-leading positions in residential and commercial lawn care and landscape maintenance, termite and pest control, home service contracts, furniture repair, home inspections, residential and commercial cleaning and disaster restoration. More information about ServiceMaster can be found at www.servicemaster.com.

About Habitat for Humanity®

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization that is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. It was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

SOURCE American Home Shield