A. O. Smith Corporation has donated 40 natural gas residential water heaters to Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. The water heater donation is in conjunction with a three-year, $6.8 million grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build 100 houses in the City of Milwaukee.

The grant equals approximately half the cost of building the homes; Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is required to match the grant dollar-for-dollar with either monetary gifts or in-kind donations of materials.

Last year, A. O. Smith donated 30 water heaters for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity homes. In addition, the company has donated smaller quantities of water heaters for Habitat projects in Washington and Ozaukee Counties.

"We are pleased to be in a position to support the good work that Habitat for Humanity is doing in the Greater Milwaukee area," Ajita G. Rajendra, president of A. O. Smith Water Products Company, said. "Our company has been a long-time partner with Habitat, and this is the fourth consecutive year we have donated products to this worthy organization. In addition, a number of our employees have volunteered with Habitat over the last several years."

The first 20 of the Promax® 40-gallon water heaters are scheduled for delivery to Habitat's Milwaukee offices the week of June 26. The second shipment of 20 water heaters will arrive in August.