ALTUS - A local Altus man, along with Whirlpool Corporation and nearly 300 volunteers nationwide, will participate in a weeklong build that will result in the completion of 10 homes on one block in Nashville, Tenn., later this year.

Eric Wells will join approximately 100 other Habitat for Humanity volunteers from across the country, 100 local Nashville volunteers and 100 Whirlpool volunteers as part of the inaugural Whirlpool Building Blocks program created by Whirlpool. Wells was chosen to participate in the build because of his commitment to Habitat and the local Altus community.

Whirlpool Building Blocks is the signature program of long-time Habitat supporter Whirlpool Corporation. Each year Whirlpool Building Blocks will recognize an outstanding Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the U.S. and its relationship with its local community by sponsoring a weeklong build in that affiliate's community. This year's build will be held in Nashville Nov. 4-10.

Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity International's largest corporate partners and donates a refrigerator and range to every new Habitat for Humanity home built in North America. Every year, thousands of Whirlpool employees donate their own time to Habitat builds across the country. The partnership began in 1999, and Whirlpool plans to support every new Habitat home built globally by 2011, either through product donations, cash or home sponsorship. The company is making an additional $1.5 million commitment to fund the build in Nashville.

To identify Wells and the other national volunteers, Habitat for Humanity International and Whirlpool selected 100 Habitat for Humanity affiliates it deemed to have demonstrated high standards of excellence. Altus Area Habitat for Humanity was one of those selected and asked to nominate an individual who demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to his or her community for the Whirlpool Building Blocks event.

"Eric Wells was a natural choice,” said Sue Newland, executive director of Altus Area Habitat for Humanity. "His contributions to the Altus area and Habitat for Humanity are remarkable. I can't think of anyone more deserving to participate in this worthwhile event.”Wells and the other volunteers will raise walls, landscape, paint and perform other tasks for the weeklong build. Construction of a single Habitat for Humanity home typically takes eight days, spread across four weekends.

"I feel honored to have been chosen for the Whirlpool Building Blocks event,” said Wells, who has been a Habitat volunteer for two years. "I look forward to my trip to Nashville to help build 10 homes in partnership with 10 deserving families.”

Wells is a member of the Atlus Area Habitat for Humanity board of directors and is committed to furthering the mission of Habitat in our community. For the past two years, he's been the volunteer who shows up for everything and is willing to do anything, including building, fundraising, and administrative work.

The 10 homes in the Whirlpool Building Blocks project will be built in the Providence Park area, Nashville's first all-Habitat community and the nation's largest contiguous all-Habitat community. Providence Park was started in 2002 by the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity and now has more than 81 Habitat homes. The Whirlpool Building Blocks project will be the largest multi-home build in the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity's 21-year history.

“Through their effort and passion, we have been able to support over 35,000 families since our partnership began,” said Jeff Terry, Director, Corporate Commitments for Whirlpool.

Altus Area Habitat for Humanity is an independent, nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that partners with people of all beliefs. Altus Area Habitat for Humanity has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 2000 and has built three homes and renovated two others.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is a manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, more than 80,000 employees, and more than 60 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.