For nearly a decade, Whirlpool has supported Habitat for Humanity in its mission to provide families with simple, decent housing.
Ellen Taaffe, Vice President, Mass Brands, Whirlpool Corporation

Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool are looking for a few good men and women for the third annual Whirlpool Building Blocks program home-building blitz in Dallas.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition and Habitat for Humanity, substandard housing affects 95 million people in the United States. The Whirlpool Building Blocks program is designed to bring together nearly 300 volunteers nationwide to work hand-in-hand to raise walls, construct roofs and create homes with qualified Habitat families. Volunteers do not need prior building or Habitat experience to apply.

"For nearly a decade, Whirlpool has supported Habitat for Humanity in its mission to provide families with simple, decent housing," said Ellen Taaffe, vice president, Mass Brands, Whirlpool Corporation. "The Whirlpool Building Blocks program is an extension of that commitment and we ask interested consumers to 'join us' in our efforts to raise awareness of the affordable housing crisis in this country."

From November 16-21, 2008, the Whirlpool Building Blocks program will build homes with nine families in the West Dallas community of Greenleaf Village II. On average, the median household income in West Dallas is $25,790 and an estimated one out of every three families in the community lives below the federal poverty level. Dallas is the third city to be chosen for the program, which kicked off in Nashville in 2006 and moved to Phoenix in 2007.

"These 300 volunteers are building more than homes -- they are improving lives and creating a neighborhood where children and families can thrive," said Norm Wilbur, executive director for Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. "We welcome Whirlpool brand and the Building Blocks volunteers to make a big difference in 'Big D' this November."

Each year, the Whirlpool Building Blocks program recognizes an outstanding Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the United States by organizing a weeklong building blitz. Whirlpool Corporation is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest corporate partners, donating a range and ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator to every new Habitat home built in North America. Every year, thousands of Whirlpool employees volunteer their own time to Habitat builds around the country. The partnership began in 1999, and Whirlpool brand plans to support every new Habitat home built globally by 2011, through product donations, cash or home sponsorship.