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Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity Build Nine Homes in Five Days

Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity Build Nine Homes in Five Days - contact Brian Duke at 800-446-2574 for more information.

Roofs, walls and hearts were lifted as Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity partnered with local families to construct nine new homes in five days in Phoenix, Arizona, as part of the second annual Whirlpool¨ Building Blocks project. Whirlpool, Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun, Habitat for Humanity International and nearly 300 volunteers from around the country began construction on May 14, 2007. The Whirlpool¨ Building Blocks initiative was created by the company to raise awareness of the affordable housing crisis and to help eliminate substandard housing in the United States.

"This is a life-changing experience for both the volunteers and new homeowners," said Tony Chang, general manager, Whirlpool brand. "A community was changed for the better this week – proof that we can eliminate poverty housing, one family at a time."

The Whirlpool¨ Building Blocks homes were built on a recently donated piece of land in Guadalupe, a small community located between Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. From start to finish, nearly 300 volunteers raised walls and roofs, landscaped, painted and performed all other tasks to complete the homes. Country superstar, Reba McEn­tire, was on-hand at the closing ceremonies on May 18, 2007, to help welcome home the families.

Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest corporate part­ners and donates a range and ENERGY STAR¨-qualified refrigerator to every new Habitat home in North America. Since the partnership be­gan in 1999, thousands of Whirlpool employees have volunteered their own time to Habitat builds around the country. Whirlpool plans to support every new Habitat home built globally by 2011, either through product donations, cash or home sponsorship.

"Whirlpool's response to our desire to offer simple and decent housing to the residents of Guadalupe is a remarkable testament to their corporate values," said Christine Odom, CEO for Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun.

Each year, Whirlpool¨ Building Blocks will recognize an out­standing Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the United States and its relationship with its local community by holding a similar weeklong building blitz. The inaugural Whirlpool¨ Building Blocks project began in November 2006 in Nashville, Tenn., where 300 volunteers from around the nation helped build 10 homes in one week. The 2008 build moves to a historically significant neighborhood in the Dallas area.

For more information about this year's build, visit www.whirlpool.com/buildingblocks

Whirlpool is a proud participant in the 2008 RentDirect PrimeTime! buying Show, March 2-5, 2008 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas. Rent to Own dealers should contact James MacAlpine at 336-714-8802 or jamesm@nationwidegroup.org for more information on joining RentDirect, the nation's largest rent to own buying group.

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