Whirlpool workers move appliances donated to Habitat for Humanity.

Whirlpool Leads Campaign's Cornerstone Society

In 2000, Whirlpool Corp. made a five-year commitment of $25 million to Habitat for Humanity International's More Than Houses campaign. By campaign's end, that commitment had reached $33.8 million. That pledge made Whirlpool the first--and most generous--member of the campaign's Cornerstone Society.

Whirlpool made a commitment to provide a refrigerator and range for every house built in North America during the campaign. To date, the appliance manufacturer has provided more than 62,000 appliances to help make Habitat houses "home" for partner families.

Corporate partnerships with Habitat for Humanity formed the backbone of the More Than Houses campaign. Corporate partnerships, including the one with Whirlpool, comprised 49 percent of the total raised by the campaign and served as an integral part of it.

Ted Dosch, Whirlpool vice president of finance and integration planning, and a member of Habitat's international booard of directors.

Whirlpool's relationship with Habitat included more than just a commitment of funding and products. Whirlpool employees also committed their time and effort to Habitat. Whirlpool sponsored 15 Habitat houses in areas where the company has a corporate presence, and an additional 30 houses throughout North America. More than 750 of the corporation's employees were involved in building Habitat homes, and Whirlpool matched employee contributions to Habitat totaling more than $415,000.

"Whirlpool was and remains honored to be the first and largest Cornerstone partner of the More Than Houses campaign," said Ted Dosch, Whirlpool's vice president of finance and integration planning. "The More Than Houses campaign was the catalyst for Whirlpool to build a partnership with Habitat that truly extended beyond donating our products for every Habitat home in North America. The campaign allowed us to focus on how we engage and inspire our employees to become involved in the partnership. It influences how we interact with our communities and has become a part of our loyalty strategy through the Whirlpool brand. I am proud to say I work for a company with such a strong partnership with Habitat for Humanity."

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