Press Room - Lowe's and Whirlpool Join Forces as 'Premier Sponsors' of The Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003

Lowe's and Whirlpool Join Forces as 'Premier Sponsors' of The Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003

February 12, 2003 – Americus, Ga. – Habitat for Humanity® International announced today that Lowe's Companies, Inc. and Whirlpool Corp. have joined as "Premier Sponsors" of the Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP) 2003 to address the need for safe, affordable housing for families across the country. As part of the sponsorship, Lowe's and Whirlpool will hold a series of local events nationwide. These events are designed to bring the spirit of the JCWP to people throughout the country by inviting them to join in special celebratory Habitat for Humanity® builds at select Lowe's stores during April and May.

"Lowe's and Whirlpool's partnership to sponsor the JCWP 2003 and to conduct these nationwide events demonstrates their tremendous commitment to provide safe and affordable homes to families within their communities," said Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity® International. "Such a gift is an example of Habitat's model of neighbors helping neighbors."

The companies decided to augment their JCWP sponsorship with local events to help raise visibility for the Habitat for Humanity® cause. "We know that the best way to truly understand Habitat for Humanity's important mission is to experience it first-hand – to participate in a local build, to meet families who have benefited from the program and to see what the JCWP is all about," said David Whitwam, Whirlpool CEO and chairman of the board.

"The partnership between Whirlpool and Lowe's is a fantastic opportunity for our two companies to contribute our combined strength to build adequate and safe housing for communities in need," said Robert Tillman, Lowe's CEO and chairman of the board. "Our two companies are united in the goal of inspiring hope and building lives, one home at a time through this dynamic partnership."

The JCWP 2003 will mark the 20th year in which former President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have built in partnership with families in need of simple, decent housing. Since a 1984 build in New York City, the Carters have devoted at least one week of the year to building Habitat houses in destinations such as Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, Hungary, The Philippines, South Korea and South Africa. During Carter's annual weeklong build, Habitat for Humanity's most distinguished volunteer will help build more than 100 houses alongside volunteers and homeowners at three sites in Alabama and Georgia June 8-13.

While many past JCWP weeklong "blitz" builds have been in major metropolitan areas, this year Habitat for Humanity® International selected "21st Century Challenge" communities -- communities that have committed to ridding their neighborhoods of substandard housing -- for the work project. By shifting their grass-roots efforts from "one house, one family at a time" to focus on building a long-term legacy of better housing "one community at a time," Valdosta and LaGrange, Ga., and Anniston, Ala. will serve as models of the 21st Century Challenge program for communities around the country.

The Lowe's and Whirlpool sponsorship includes:

Six houses in the three JCWP locations that will be built by employees of the companies.
Donation of product and materials for the 102 homes built for the JCWP 2003.
Local events held at Lowe's stores to raise funds and allow Americans nationwide to experience a Habitat for Humanity build.

Local Events Bring the Habitat Experience to Local Markets
Leading up to the JCWP, Lowe's and Whirlpool will host a series of local Habitat for Humanity® build and fundraising events at Lowe's stores across America. At the events, people will be able to participate in a local Habitat for Humanity® build, sign up to volunteer, donate to the cause and learn more about the JCWP and the families that benefit.

Events will take place in 10 cities across the country, with a special focus on cities that have committed to Habitat for Humanity's 21st Century Challenge. The full schedule of events will be finalized in early March and posted on www.whirlpool.com.

About the Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of $10.3 billion, 65,000 employees, and nearly 50 manufacturing and technology research centers around the globe. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Bauknecht, Consul and other major brand names to consumers in more than 170 countries. Additional information about the company can be found on the Whirlpool Corporation web site.

About Lowe's Companies, Inc.
With 2001 sales of $22.1 billion, Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a Fortune 100 company that serves more than seven million customers a week at more than 860 home improvement stores in 44 states. The 14th largest retailer in the nation, Wilkesboro, NC-based Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity® International is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Founded by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda, Habitat for Humanity® International and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 87 nations have built and sold more than 125,000 homes to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. For more information, go to Habitat for Humanity International web site.

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