Whirlpool is sponsoring the fourth annual “Mother Of Invention Grant Program.” Here are some details about this way cool event:

“In the past three years, Whirlpool brand has recognized and helped more than 15 moms turn their innovative ideas into reality.
The Whirlpool brand Mother of Invention Grant Program provides seed money and expert guidance to moms to turn their invention, business or service ideas into full-fledged businesses.  Contest winners receive:

§             A $20,000 grant for the grand prize winner

§             $24,000 in grant money for the four runners-up

§             Appliance prizes

§             Invitation to business boot camp where winners will receive guidance from Whirlpool and industry experts

This year, we are greening the program by adding a new category focused on moms who create an environmentally friendly product/service or use natural/recycled materials to create their invention. 
More information and entry forms can be found at www.whirlpool.com/moms beginning May 11. Entries are accepted through July 31, 2008.”

How awesome is this, ladies? Get out your goggles and lab coat, then hurry over to the Whirlpool site to submit your ingenious ideas. Somebody has to be the winner and it could very well be you!

Post from: Blisstree

Be A Mother…Of Invention!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS: APPLICATION PROCESS OPENS FOR THIRD ANNUAL WHIRLPOOL^® BUILDING BLOCKS

Whirlpool Kicks Off Nationwide Search for Volunteers to Join Annual Habitat for Humanity Community Build

DALLAS, June 2, 2008 – Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool brand are looking for a few good men and women for the third annual Whirlpool^® Building Blocks program home-building blitz in Dallas. From June 2 to July 11, 2008, consumers can apply at www.whirlpool.com/buildingblocks to join the 2008 build team and help eliminate substandard housing in the United States.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition and Habitat for Humanity, substandard housing affects 95 million people in the United States. The Whirlpool^® Building Blocks program is designed to bring together nearly 300 volunteers nationwide to work hand-in-hand to raise walls, construct roofs and create homes with qualified Habitat families. Volunteers do not need prior building or Habitat experience to apply.

“For nearly a decade, Whirlpool has supported Habitat for Humanity in its mission to provide families with simple, decent housing,” said Ellen Taaffe, vice president, Mass Brands, Whirlpool Corporation. “The Whirlpool^® Building Blocks program is an extension of that commitment and we ask interested consumers to ‘join us’ in our efforts to raise awareness of the affordable housing crisis in this country.”

From November 16-21, 2008, the Whirlpool^®Building Blocks program will build homes with nine families in the West Dallas community of Greenleaf Village II. On average, the median household income in West Dallas is $25,790 and an estimated one out of every three families in the community lives below the federal poverty level. Dallas is the third city to be chosen for the program, which kicked off in Nashville in 2006 and moved to Phoenix in 2007. 

“These 300 volunteers are building more than homes – they are improving lives and creating a neighborhood where children and families can thrive,” said Norm Wilbur, executive director for Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. “We welcome Whirlpool brand and the Building Blocks volunteers to make a big difference in ‘Big D’ this November.”

Each year, the Whirlpool^®Building Blocks program recognizes an outstanding Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the United States by organizing a week-long building blitz. Whirlpool Corporation is one of Habitat for Humanity’s largest corporate partners, donating a range and ENERGY STAR^® qualified refrigerator to every new Habitat home built in North America. Every year, thousands of Whirlpool employees volunteer their own time to Habitat builds around the country. The partnership began in 1999, and Whirlpool brand plans to support every new Habitat home built globally by 2011, through product donations, cash or home sponsorship. 

For more information, rules and an application, please visit www.whirlpool.com/buildingblocks.

I hope that they bring this program to California next year!

Post from: Blisstree

An Opportunity To Do Some Good