One of the ways Whirlpool demonstrates our commitment to community and society is through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity International. Our support began in 1999 with the donation of a range and an ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator to every Habitat for Humanity home built in North America through a five-year, $25 million commitment to the organization. In 2005, we expanded our commitment by announcing plans to support every Habitat home built globally by 2011, either through product donations, cash, volunteering or home sponsorship.
Whirlpool has donated more than 90,000 appliances globally through our involvement in Habitat for Humanity, and the value of our commitment has reached nearly $50 million. These numbers continue to grow, demonstrating our commitment and desire to make a difference in the world in which we do business.
By the Numbers
- 19 — Countries with active Whirlpool/Habitat partnership
- 1999 — Year the Whirlpool/Habitat partnership began
- 5,500 — Number of Whirlpool employees who have volunteered with Habitat
- 90,000 — Number of appliances donated to Habitat since 1999
- $50 million — Value of Whirlpool Corporation's current commitment
Through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we have worked to bring about more opportunities to address the issue of sub-standard housing. No company or organization alone can address the need for housing, which is why Whirlpool Corporation has reached out to others to ask them to join us in creating more affordable housing habitats around the world.
Whirlpool Corporation helped to encourage our retail trade customers to work with us to support Habitat. U.S.-based home improvement retailer Lowe's Companies joined us in 2003, and Lowe's and its vendor partners have contributed more than $18 million to Habitat projects since that time.
Whirlpool has helped Habitat secure additional partnerships, including a $15 million sponsorship by Valspar Paints. Whirlpool Corporation had been a leading corporate sponsor of the Carter Work Projects since 2004. Each Year former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, give a week of their time to build homes and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing through these Carter Work projects. Our employees have been actively involved in Carter Projects in Alabama, Georgia (2003), Puebla, Mexico (2004), Benton Harbor, Michigan (2005), Lonavala, India (2006), Los Angeles, California (2007) and the Mississippi/Louisiana Gulf Region (2008).
Continuing to help build awareness of and engage more people in Habitat's efforts through volunteerism is a cornerstone of the Whirlpool partnership with Habitat. Following are a few examples of what Whirlpool has done to support Habitat in this area:
- Between 2004 and 2007, the Whirlpool brand sponsored singer and television superstar Reba McEntire's U.S. concert tours to help raise funds for and build awareness of Habitat's mission. The four concert tours reached more than 800,000 people and raised nearly $1 million for Habitat.
- In 2005, Whirlpool developed, with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), the Aces for Homes project. For every "ace" made (a serve that goes untouched by the server's opponent and is unreturned) by a female player during the tournaments, Habitat receives 20 euros (10 euros from each Whirlpool and WTA). Whirlpool and the WTA have provided nearly 270,000 euros since the beginning of the program to support Habitat's efforts in Europe and South Africa.
- In November 2006, Whirlpool started the annual Building Blocks program to raise awareness and help eliminate substandard housing in the United States. Each year the program recognizes an outstanding U.S. Habitat for Humanity affiliate and its relationship with its local community by holding a week-long build in the affiliate's community. During the blitz build, approximately 10 homes are completed with the help of Whirlpool employees and nationwide Habitat and local community volunteers. Builds have been held in Nashville, Tenn. (2006); Phoenix, Ariz. (2007); and Dallas, Texas (2008).