Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity announce 2014 partnership renewal

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Apr 01, 2014, 01:26 ET

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