Whirlpool Corporation and Harbor Habitat for Humanity Partner with the Patterson and Murphy Families to Build Homes in Benton Harbor, Mich.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) and Harbor Habitat for Humanity have completed construction on the homes built in partnership with Tynisha Murphy and the Patterson family, dedicating the homes in a ceremony that took place December 8. The builds took place on side-by-side lots in the Harbor Shores community of Benton Harbor. 

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"We couldn't be happier about our long-standing partnership with Whirlpool Corporation," said Erin Hudson, Executive Director of Harbor Habitat for Humanity. "The dedication of the company and its tireless volunteers has truly made a difference in our community and in communities across the country."

Through this build, and the volunteer hours the family put in, Patrick and Brunetta Patterson have achieved their goal of home ownership – improving the living situation for their three daughters and two grandchildren. The Pattersons, who are actively involved in their local church, Our Center for Better Living, never believed that would be possible.

"We are extremely thankful for the opportunity to become homeowners," said Patrick Patterson. "It has been an absolute pleasure to work side-by-side with these volunteers. Without Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool, our dream never would have become a reality."

The build is part of Whirlpool Corporation-sponsored Habitat builds that took place throughout the United States in 2012.  Whirlpool also sponsored homes in Amana, Iowa, Clyde, Ohio and at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.

"We are so proud of our employees' selfless efforts in supporting the homeownership goals of the Murphys and Pattersons," said Tanu Grewal, Senior Brand Manager at Whirlpool Corporation. "It's truly great to see the results of our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, right here in our hometown."

Whirlpool Corporation has been a partner of Habitat for Humanity International for 12 years, supporting Habitat's work in 240 countries and sponsoring more than 100 homes since the partnership began in 1999. In that time, the company has donated a range and ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator to every Habitat home in the U.S. and Canada, totaling more than 140,000 appliances. Whirlpool also supports and participates in the annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project and is the first corporation to provide on-going donations to Habitat for Humanity ReStore resale outlets, helping to raise an additional $4.6 million for the organization.

For more information, visit http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/responsibility/building_communities/habitat_for_humanity.aspx or http://www.harborhabitat.org

About Harbor Habitat for Humanity
Harbor Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) is a non-profit, Christian ecumenical ministry that seeks to eliminate substandard housing in Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township by engaging the community and partnering with families to provide them with a safe, decent, and affordable place to live. Partner families make a down payment, invest hundreds of hours of sweat equity into the construction of their homes and other Habitat homes, and make monthly mortgage payments on a zero-interest loan. Since 1995, Harbor Habitat for Humanity has built or renovated more than 98 homes. Learn more at http://www.harborhabitat.org, or like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com /Harbor-Habitat-for-Humanity. 

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that has helped to build over 500,000 decent, affordable houses and served 2.5 million people worldwide.

Habitat's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

About Whirlpool Corporation
In more than 12 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Whirlpool Corporation has donated more than 140,000 ranges and ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators to new Habitat homes built in North America, serving 71,000 families.  The company has sponsored more than 100 homes around the world and served more than 24,504 families in Europe alone. Additionally, Whirlpool has donated more than 28,000 products to Habitat ReStore resale outlets in the United States, helping to raise over $4.6 million.  A proud sponsor of Habitat's Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project since 2003, the value of the company's commitment to Habitat nears $78 million.  With active partnerships in 40 countries, Whirlpool has engaged 8,000 employee volunteers and plans to support the work of Habitat around the world through product donations, financial contribution or volunteerism. 

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation