BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Maytag® brand and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announced today that Ethan Harris, Club Member of the Boys & Girls Club of Bryant, Ark., has been named winner of the 2013 Maytag Dependable Leader Awards – America's Vote competition in acknowledgement for his demonstrated commitment to helping his Club keep youth on the path to achieving great futures.

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America's Vote is an extension of the Dependable Leader Awards, which recognizes Club professionals, members and volunteers who are committed to making a difference in the lives of youth by being dependable and exceptional role models. America's Vote invited people across the U.S. to select the final Maytag Dependable Leader Award winner in 2013 by voting online.

Ethan was voted America's winner and joins 24 other Dependable Leaders across the country also honored this year. Ethan will receive a $20,000 financial grant to help his Club deepen its impact in its community. The grant will help to further extend Ethan's work with the Boys & Girls Club of Bryant. Ethan's video submission, which helped him secure America's Vote, is available to view at www.bgca.org/Maytag.

Ethan is an 11-year old boy who works determinedly to do what he can to help the Club.  From assisting staff members, to speaking to the Board of Community Directors about his Club, he constantly seeks to pitch in and make improvements. Through the "It Just Takes One Kid's Campaign," Ethan raised over $1,000 for his Club through an event he organized on his own. 

"Ethan Harris is an exemplary Club member who actively cares for his Club and knows first-hand the impact it makes in the lives of youth," said Suzanne Passmore, Executive Director Boys & Girls Club of Bryant. "We are proud to see Ethan recognized with this incredible award from Maytag. We are grateful to Maytag for supporting our organization's effort to serve young people and make a difference in their lives."

Boys & Girls Clubs provides services and support that enable youth to reach their full potential. With a heritage of dependability dating back more than 100 years, the Maytag brand mission is to build high-performing products consumers can count on. The partnership between Maytag and BGCA seeks to promote dependability – a quality that the Clubs' staff and volunteers strive for every day and is central to the Maytag brand.

"The Maytag Dependable Leader Award allows the brand to give back to Boys & Girls Club professionals and volunteers who continue to give tirelessly of themselves to the Clubs and the youth they work with," said William Beck, senior brand director, Maytag.  "Ethan provides his Club with passion and untiring devotion; it is our honor to recognize him with this award."

About Maytag Brand
For more than a century, Maytag brand appliances have been synonymous with dependability and durability. Through the commitment of Whirlpool Corporation, Maytag brand's enduring tradition of quality production and performance continues to thrive. Exceptionally durable, commercial-grade components are found in many Maytag brand appliances – including Maytag® Maxima® front-load and Maytag® Bravos® top-load washers and dryers. Maytag brand is part of the Whirlpool Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion in 2012, 68,000 employees, and 65 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. For more information on any Maytag brand appliance, visit www.maytag.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve some 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at www.bgca.org/facebook and bgca.org/twitter.

SOURCE Maytag Brand