Established in 2010, Kelley has worked together with Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, Habitat for Humanity International, and Whirlpool Corporation to participate in a community home blitz build. In 2021, we built a five-bedroom home—the largest in the build's history.
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Watch the build
See Kelley students, faculty, and staff at work during the 2021 Whirlpool Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build.
Description of the video:
[MUSIC PLAYING]Courtney Bidwell, Director, Kelley Institute for Social Impact:
The Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build is a really neat partnership between the Kelley School of Business, Habitat for Humanity, and Whirlpool Corporation. It's a wonderful opportunity for everybody to get together and build a house for a family in need. Our students get to work on the house, Whirlpool sponsors it, which is wonderful, and Habitat provides all of the expertise and the knowledge and the know-how.
Wendi Goodlett, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County:
The Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build is a construction project that we just do in a condensed amount of time. So we have about 10 to 14 days that we built our house in.
Deb O'Connor, Director of Corporate Reputation and Community Relations, Whirlpool Corporation:
This started when our former CEO, who went to IU, decided, hey, why don't we build at IU, and bring some students in. And maybe we'll bring some of our employees over so they can work side by side.
Josh Gildea, Senior Lecturer of Marketing, MBA Business Marketing Academy Director, Fettig/Whirlpool Distinguished Lecturer:
For me to be a part of this build is a huge opportunity to join with our student body and to do something good for our community.
Dani Regalado, BS'22:
It's important to me to get off campus and get my hands dirty. And it's just awesome knowing that my actions are actually impacting the community positively.
Courtney Bidwell:
I know affordable housing is a huge issue in Bloomington. This build, in particular, is a great way, I think, to introduce our students to that concept, and not just the problems but how they can be part of the solution.
Taren Porter, BS'22, O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Net Impact IUB Co-President:
It's really a hands-on way for me to do something about one of the problems in the world.
Davis Aufdembrink, BS'22, President of Civic Leadership Development:
I just think volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and develop some skills along the way as well.
Wendi Goodlett:
This year's build is different than any that we've done in the past. We usually build the house on campus and move it.
Courtney Bidwell:
So usually we're constricted by the size house that we can move down the road when it's done. This year, we're not. So we're building a five-bedroom house for a big family. This is also the largest house we've ever built.
Marc Bitzer, CEO, Whirlpool Corporation:
Being on a build is always a very emotional experience. You work alongside the families. In this case, Javier and Veronica and their five children. And it's just a fantastic experience.
Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International:
This is where it's not just a theoretical idea. You see the tangible difference and the transformation that's going to happen that's going to be intergenerational.
Deb O'Connor:
This is part of a Build Better with Whirlpool Program. It builds homes that are more energy-efficient and climate-resilient. And, lastly, we're excited because this is actually the kickoff of a world tour. We've expanded our work with Habitat for Humanity around the globe. And this is the very beginning of it.
H. Shanker Krishnan, Professor of Marketing, Kelley School of Business:
Coming out of the pandemic, it feels like a lot of people are struggling. And it's a really, really good opportunity to give something back.
Shawna Meyer-Niederman, Associate Director, Kelley Institute for Social Impact:
We love our partnership with Whirlpool Corp. It's a great way to show our students that you can make a difference through business.
Erik Sullivan, BS'23:
It's really cool to step off campus and be a part of something that's obviously bigger than us.
Andrew Davis, BS'23:
After everything that this school has done for me, I'm just so excited that I can give back to the community.
Joshua Gildea:
This is a big part of the fabric of who we are as a school and a community. And it makes all the difference in the world.
Courtney Bidwell:
So a huge thank you to Whirlpool Corporation, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County.
Shawna Meyer-Niederman:
We couldn't do it without the support of all of you. And we're so excited to have over 300 volunteers help contribute.
Wendi Goodlett:
Thank you to all our volunteers, the Whirlpool Corporation, and IU's Kelley School of Business.
Jonathan Reckford:
And thank you to all of the people who've come out and help make a dream possible for Javier and Veronica, as we work towards a time where every family has a safe, decent, affordable place to live.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Get involved
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County here.
2021 Whirlpool Habitat build schedule
Build at Dunn Meadow
Students (only) build wall components on the IU campus. Choose from the following shifts:
9 to 11 a.m.
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
2 to 4 p.m.
Students (only) build wall components on the IU campus. Choose from the following shifts:
9 to 11 a.m.
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
2 to 4 p.m.
Build at Osage Place
Transportation is provided to and from campus for the following build shifts:
9 a.m. to noon
1 to 4 p.m.
Transportation is provided to and from campus for the following build shifts:
9 a.m. to noon
1 to 4 p.m.
Build at Osage Place
Meet us at the build site for an afternoon shift:
1 to 4 p.m.
Meet us at the build site for an afternoon shift:
1 to 4 p.m.
Build at Osage Place
Transportation is provided to and from campus for the following build shifts:
9 a.m. to noon
1 to 4 p.m.
Transportation is provided to and from campus for the following build shifts:
9 a.m. to noon
1 to 4 p.m.
Directions to the building site location will be provided upon registration. Shuttle transportation can be accessed in the parking lot shared by the Kelley School and the O’Neill School. Students may also drive directly to the site.
Kelley thanks our friends at Aldi for generously providing snacks for the 2021 build.
Kelley thanks our friends at Aldi for generously providing snacks for the 2021 build.
2019 Volunteer Info
IU staff, faculty, and students ages 16 and older can participate in the build—no prior skills of experience is required. Shifts are available at 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (includes lunch) and 1–5 p.m., October 1–11. The build will take place on campus at the corner of 17th and Fee (across from Briscoe and the IU Outdoor Pool). You can register as an individual, or bring a group/office and work together.
Questions or need help? Contact KISI Assistant Director Shawna Meyer-Niederman at meyersr@iu.edu.
This option is for individuals interested in volunteering.
- Follow link.
- Register as a volunteer.
- This registration is unique to you and will serve as your individual profile. Once registered as a volunteer, you can sign up for a specific volunteer event.
- Remember your log-in (email and first name) as it will be used when you check-in on site to volunteer.
- Find the Whirlpool/Kelley Blitz Build.
- Find the date you want to volunteer.
- Find the time shift/s that you want to volunteer. (9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. with lunch or 1–5 p.m.)
- On the right side, you will see the number of spots available.
- Choose: "I’m registering as an INDIVIDUAL."
- Confirm email, "What’s your email address?"
- Complete the section, "Your information."
- Read and sign the waiver with your electronic signature.
- You will receive an email confirmation.
This option is for group leaders who will be responsible for signing up and registering their group or office. If you have the first/last name of group members and their email addresses already known, have them available when registering. If you do not, you can reserve anonymous spots and complete the specific information later (due by noon on Sept. 16).
- Follow link.
- Register as a volunteer.
- This registration is unique to you and will serve as your individual profile. Once registered as a volunteer, you can sign up for a specific volunteer event.
- Remember your log-in (email and first name) as it will be used when you check-in on site to volunteer.
- Find the Whirlpool/Kelley Blitz Build.
- Find the date you want your group to volunteer.
- Select the time of shift/s you’d like to do.
- On the right side, you will see the number of spots available.
- Find the time shift that you want to volunteer. (9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. with lunch or 1–5 p.m.)
- Choose: "I’m registering a GROUP"
- Confirm email, "What’s your e-mail address?"
- Complete the section, "Your information."
- Select (+)ADD, "Is anyone joining you?"
- If you know the names and emails of the group members, enter their information here. These individuals well then receive directions on how to register. Their space will be reserved and linked as a group member of yours.
- If you do not know the names and emails of the group members at this time but would like to reserve/hold spots you can. Simply write the name of your group in the appropriate box and leave the other items blank: This is an anonymous reservation. Add more up to 14. This is helpful for groups that are interested but have yet to meet all team members or have meetings scheduled yet.
- Before September 16 you will be responsible for signing back into this system to add names and emails. Any spots that are not registered will be forfeited.
- Note: If spaces are still available for "Individual Volunteer," individuals can register for the same date/time/shift to be with the group.
- Read and sign the waiver with your electronic signature.
- You will receive an email confirmation. If you registered other members and included their email, they will receive a confirmation as well. They will need to complete their registration with Habitat for Humanity.
- Before September 16 you will be responsible for signing back into this system to add names and emails. Any spots that are not registered will be forfeited. More directions are available on the "Volunteer Local" webpage.
Learn more about IU’s Volunteer Paid Leave.
Kelley staff, this event has been approved for Volunteer Paid Leave. However, to ensure that normal operations will still be met it is at the discretion and approval of your supervisor.
Kelley staff, this event has been approved for Volunteer Paid Leave. However, to ensure that normal operations will still be met it is at the discretion and approval of your supervisor.
It’s no coincidence that Kelley works with Whirlpool.
Its CFO, Jim Peters, is a proud Kelley MBA.
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