Whirlpool Corporation is lending support to Habitat for Humanity's 24th annual Jimmy Carter Work Project, Oct. 28 - Nov. 2, 2007, in Los Angeles. During the weeklong project, thousands of volunteers from around the world will join former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in building 30 new homes and repairing 70 homes.
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To help build the homes, Whirlpool Corporation is sending 35 employees from offices and divisions around the United States. The company also has donated $250,000 in cash and appliances for the build.
The Habitat homes will be built in partnership with 30 low-income families in South Los Angeles and also in the San Pedro section of the city near the port. Families will pay a no-profit mortgage for the homes. Mortgage payments will be recycled to build even more simple, decent and affordable housing in the Los Angeles area. Seventy homes in those two neighborhoods, already owned by low-income families, will be repaired though Habitat's "A Brush With Kindness" program.
To help additional families in one of the most expensive and overcrowded metropolitan areas in the United States, Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles made a three-year commitment to build and repair 150 additional homes throughout the area to help more low-income families.
"Whirlpool Corporation and our employees are proud to support the 2007 Jimmy Carter Work Project, which will help 100 deserving families in Los Angeles," said Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool's chairman and CEO. "The people of Whirlpool share Habitat's dedication to making decent, affordable housing available to people around the world."
In addition to supporting the Jimmy Carter Work Project for five consecutive years, Whirlpool Corporation has donated a refrigerator and range - more than 73,000 appliances -- to every Habitat for Humanity home built in North America since 1999. In 2005, the company announced plans to support every Habitat home built globally by 2011, either through product donations, cash, or volunteer support. The company's global commitment to Habitat for Humanity has exceeded $34 million to-date.
The Carters are Habitat's most famous volunteers. Each year since 1984, the Carters have given one week of their time to build homes and raise awareness about the need for simple, decent and affordable housing. Previous JCWP events have been held in New York City, Georgia, Michigan, the Philippines, Hungary, South Korea and South Africa. Habitat's project with the Carters in 2008 will be held along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and more than 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
HFH GLA (www.habitatla.org) strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built more than 190 homes, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. In the spring of 2007, HFH GLA kicked off its three-year Building a Greater Los Angeles campaign to build or renovate over 250 homes in Los Angeles County.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 225,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
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FCMN Contact: angela_m_hersil@whirlpool.com
SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation
CONTACT: Monica Teague, Whirlpool Corporation, +1-269-923-7405,