Whirlpool volunteers work with Habitat for Humanity on energy efficiency in Hungary
Budapest/Bratislava, June 2013 – This June, Whirlpool is sending a group of 30 employees from factories and branches throughout Europe to Dunakeszi, Hungary. They will work for three days to renovate homes for families in need. The project helps families with low incomes repair and upgrade homes to make them energy efficient.
Whirlpool’s volunteers travel from 10 countries. They will work on the construction site together with two beneficiary families. The team will work on the insulation of one house and on the roof, windows and door installation for the second house.
In Hungary, low energy efficiency of homes is one of the biggest problems for many families. They spend more than 25 percent of income on housing expenses, mainly energy bills. In 2010, more than 1 million people lived in households unable to properly heat their home during winter. Habitat’s projects in Hungary address this need by offering families loans and volunteer labor to renovate homes.
Whirlpool volunteers are contributing their help to this project. “By the end of 2013, more than 1000 Whirlpool people from the Europe, Middle East & Africa region will have built houses with Habitat for Humanity since we became partners in 2004. Every year, more and more people hear about the fun and fulfillment experienced by colleagues on Habitat builds and they too want to take part. This year we are sending volunteers to builds in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Poland. They will be building homes alongside the future homeowners – to celebrate, support and give back to the communities where we work,” said Esther Berrozpe Galindo, President of Whirlpool Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Whirlpool has been among the most committed partners of Habitat for Humanity International. Every year, the corporation sends teams of volunteers throughout the region and helps many Habitat families to have a decent place to live.
About Whirlpool Corporation
In more than eleven years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Whirlpool Corporation has donated more than 130,000 ranges and ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators to new Habitat homes built in North America, serving 65,000 families. The company has sponsored more than 100 homes around the world and served more than 16,200 families in Europe alone. Additionally, Whirlpool has donated more than 25,000 products to Habitat ReStores, helping to raise an additional 3.5 million in 2 years. A proud sponsor of the Carter Work Project since 2003, the value of the company’s commitment to Habitat nears 72 million. With active partnerships in 22 countries, Whirlpool has engaged 7000 employee volunteers and plans to support the work of Habitat around the world through product donations, financial contribution or volunteerism.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian nonprofit organization dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built and renovated more than 600,000 homes worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 3 million people. For more information, visit www.habitateurope.org.