Dow Extends Commitment to Habitat for Humanity for 30th Year

MIDLAND, Mich., Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) today announced its recommitment to Habitat for Humanity International, which marks the company's 30^th anniversary of financial, volunteer and product contributions to Habitat to support the goal of creating safe, affordable housing in partnership with low-income families around the world.

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Dow was one of Habitat's first corporate partners, and over its three-plus decades has been instrumental in the construction of nearly 39,000 homes in 24 countries on six continents, including in Ghana, Africa, for the first time in 2013.

"Dow and Habitat understand the importance of providing safe, affordable housing and giving families that much needed hand up toward a better future," said Bo Miller, global director for Corporate Citizenship at Dow.  "Our 30-year partnership illustrates this commitment and passion for improving lives, and we are proud that our efforts are truly making a difference."

Since 1983, thousands of Dow volunteers have helped families realize the dream of home ownership. In addition to financial and product contributions, Dow provides subject matter experts in energy efficiency and conservation in the construction of homes. 

"We are so grateful to Dow for reaching out to Habitat to become one of our first national corporate partners and for helping to build thousands of homes during the last 30 years," said Jonathan Reckford CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "I have had the privilege of working with Dow associates all over the world and so appreciate the contributions both of the organization and the individual supporters. Dow helped us create the model for developing crucial corporate partnerships and has been pivotal in helping us building homes, communities and hope."

Dow and Habitat share a goal to develop communities by building, repairing and rehabilitating houses. Dow's partnership with Habitat focuses on finding creative ways to leverage its products, experience in energy efficiency and conservation, and people to have a positive impact on the need for affordable housing. Dow also works with Habitat by providing personnel who serve as board members at the local and international levels.

Dow engages a holistic approach with Habitat, contributing not only funds and energy saving insulation products, but significant volunteer support that is needed to bring construction projects and the homeowners' dreams to life. This approach aligns with a number of Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals, including those related to energy efficiency, community success and local protection of human health and the environment.

As part of its anniversary commitment, Dow volunteers are helping to build homes in 30 communities and the company has pledged more than $1.3 million in funding. Additionally, Dow anticipates gift-in-kind contributions of STYROFOAM^™ brand insulation products of $4 million. To date, Dow has contributed $56.9 million in cumulative giving to Habitat. 

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2012, Dow had annual sales of approximately $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 600,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat's blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International