American Home Shield Announces AHS Challenge for Change(SM), $50,000 Online Voting Competition Benefiting Habitat for Humanity Affiliates

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifteen Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) affiliates from across the country have the opportunity to win one of three donations totaling $50,000 from American Home Shield (AHS), and it's up to online voters to determine the recipient of each. AHS, a leading national provider of home protection plans, recently launched AHS Challenge for Change(SM) (AHSChallenge.com), an online voting contest that will award $10,000, $15,000 and $25,000 donations to three Habitat affiliates receiving the most online votes for their neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for individuals and communities across the nation to rally together to help revitalize neighborhoods through Habitat for Humanity," says Nicole Ritchie, AHS Director of Communications. "This is an easy way to make a meaningful difference in so many lives. Our goal is to not only help raise awareness about the great work that these Habitat affiliates are doing, but to also challenge others to join us in building better communities."

Supporters can cast their vote at AHSChallenge.com once per day through January 31, 2011, for any of the following Habitat affiliates:

• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis (TN)
• Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity (WV)
• Habitat for Humanity Chicago South Suburbs (IL)
• Habitat for Humanity Genesee County (MI)
• Habitat for Humanity Indian River (FL)
• Habitat for Humanity Lake County (IL)
• Habitat for Humanity Morris County (NJ)
• Habitat for Humanity of Detroit (MI)
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Columbus (OH)
• Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City (MO)
• Habitat for Humanity of Maumee Valley (OH)
• Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/ South King County (WA)
• Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. (MD)
• Habitat for Humanity Tacoma/Pierce County (WA)
• Habitat for Humanity Waco (TX)

Each Habitat affiliate participating in AHS Challenge for Change is featured on the website and is currently involved in Habitat for Humanity's Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, an effort to improve local housing conditions while partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life across struggling neighborhoods. The initiative encourages affiliates to serve more families and to create more resilient and sustainable communities by offering a variety of services in addition to new house construction.

"To have a truly holistic impact on the issue of sub-standard housing in our community, neighborhoods with existing homes in need of repair cannot be overlooked," says Dwayne Spencer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, an affiliate participating in the contest and revitalization initiative. "For this reason, Memphis Habitat has decided to not only build new houses with families seeking homeownership for the first time, but also work with other financially strapped households to make critical repairs.  That's the hallmark of real neighborhood revitalization.  No one is left out."

"Like Habitat for Humanity, AHS believes in the value of home ownership and the importance of proper home maintenance.  These go hand-in-hand with building strong neighborhoods," says Ritchie. "Thanks to the AHS Challenge for Change, not one, but three communities will receive a significant investment in their revitalization efforts. We want to do all that we can to help spread the word about this unique opportunity to have a positive, lasting impact in local communities across the nation."

As part of this effort, AHS has also launched AHS Challenge for Change pages on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ahschallenge) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ahschallenge) to provide Fans and followers with contest updates, information on local Neighborhood Revitalization Projects, interesting community facts and helpful links.  For more information, including official rules/terms and conditions, visit AHSChallenge.com.

About American Home Shield®

American Home Shield® helped found the home warranty industry in 1971 and remains an industry leader, servicing 1.4 million customers across 49 states. The Memphis-based company operates three customer service centers, employs over 1,700 employees and over 11,000 approved, independently insured contractors nationwide. American Home Shield is part of the ServiceMaster family of brands, one of the world's largest and most versatile service networks. The company's brands include TruGreen, TruGreen LandCare, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic, and AmeriSpec.

About ServiceMaster®

ServiceMaster® currently serves residential and commercial customers through a network of over 5,500 company-owned locations and franchised licenses. The Company's brands include TruGreen, TruGreen LandCare, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic, and AmeriSpec. For more information, visit www.servicemaster.com.

About Habitat for Humanity®

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization that is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. It was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

SOURCE American Home Shield