Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity International have announced locations for the 2010 Whirlpool Building Blocks program, the company’s signature annual community home-building initiative. In 2010, homes will be built in Findlay, Ohio; Williamsburg, Iowa; Benton Harbor, Mich.; Cleveland, Tenn.; and, Yakima, Wash. Homes also will be built on university campuses as part of the company’s goal to foster the spirit of giving back in the next generation by involving college students in the program.
Now in its fifth year, Whirlpool Building Blocks is expanding to build more capacity for Habitat’s mission to create affordable housing and increase opportunities for volunteer engagement. In place of the one-city blitz build format from previous years, builds will take place in communities in which Whirlpool Corporation has manufacturing, customer service and administrative offices, positively impacting areas in which the company operates.
“Through our relationship with Habitat for Humanity, it’s been our mission to give back to the communities in which our consumers and employees live, work and raise their families,” said Jeff Noel, corporate vice president, Communications & Public Affairs, Whirlpool Corporation. “The partnership is ingrained in our culture at every level, and we want to take the opportunity to recognize our workforce for their dedication and continued support of these efforts.”
In total, 36 Habitat homes have been built with partner families in Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas and Atlanta as part of the Whirlpool Building Blocks program, which was created in 2006 as an extension of Whirlpool Corporation’s support of Habitat. The company’s overall commitment to Habitat also includes sponsorship of and participation in Habitat’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project and the donation of a range and ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerator to every new Habitat home built in the United States, totaling more than 110,000 appliances to date. Additionally, in 2011 Whirlpool Corporation will support every Habitat home built globally, either through home sponsorship, product donation or volunteerism.
“Whirlpool Corporation is an exemplary corporate partner that continually seeks innovative ways to support the work of Habitat for Humanity,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International. “A program such as the Whirlpool Building Blocks community build is just one example of the company’s varied and creative support of Habitat’s mission. We are grateful for all the ways that Whirlpool Corporation -“ and its employees -“ help strengthen families, and we are excited about what the next phase of the partnership holds.”
Details regarding build dates, university campus build locations and volunteer opportunities will be posted to the Whirlpool brand Web site and the Whirlpool Building Blocks Facebook page when available. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/whirlpoolbuildingblocks or www.whirlpool.com/habitat.
