Date: December 18, 2006

AVERY CREEK, N.C. … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation announced today it has donated $20,000 to benefit the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. Funds will be used to underwrite partial construction of one home in Habitat’s Enka Hills subdivision.

“We value Eaton’s longstanding partnership and commitment to our mission of helping to improve the lives of people in the community through homeownership,” said Lew Kraus, executive director, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. “It’s a fulfilling experience when people pull together to give a family a hand-up.”

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity builds affordable, decent homes for low-income families. The process begins with a homeowner-selection process that chooses applicants who have a need to improve their housing situation and have the ability to pay modest monthly mortgages. Applicants must be willing to work a minimum of 250 "sweat equity" hours on the construction of their home, attend homeowner classes, fully participate in a partnership with Habitat staff, sponsors, and volunteers, and commit to maintaining their Habitat home and community.

Eaton’s gift provides “raise the roof” sponsorship for the home in Asheville to assist in covering costs of building materials and professional labor. Approximately 200 Eaton volunteers are expected to work on this build. From 2003-2005, Eaton contributed $32,000 to Habitat for Humanity.

“We’re proud to be partners with such an outstanding organization and to be in a position to make a positive contribution to our community,” said Paula Latta, director of support services, Eaton’s Avery Creek facility. “Our employees have a great tradition of helping those less fortunate and this shows what they’re willing to do.”

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc. is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to building simple, decent houses with community volunteers in partnership with qualified families currently living in inadequate housing. For more information about Habitat visit www.ashevillehabitat.org.

Eaton’s two facilities in Asheville, part of the company’s electrical business, employ approximately 750 people. The facilities provide global customer support services and pricing, as well as manufacture electrical distribution and control equipment.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2005 sales of $11.1 billion. Eaton is a global leader in electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution and control; fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment; intelligent truck drivetrain systems for safety and fuel economy; and automotive engine air management systems, powertrain solutions and specialty controls for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has 60,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 125 countries.