Ethan Allen Partners With Habitat For Humanity For The Third Year In A Row; Company Hopes To Build Millennium Home With This Year's Proceeds.

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1999--

For the third year in a row, Ethan Allen teams up with Habitat for Humanity(R) this holiday season to help those less fortunate to realize their dream of owning a home.

Spinning off its launch into kids furniture, Ethan Allen introduces its E.A. Kids dolls - - "Ethan" and "Allie" - - and an E.A. Kids inflatable chair to this year's program.

In a nationwide effort aimed at raising both funds and consumers' awareness, participating Ethan Allen stores will sell the dolls and chairs along with past cuddly critters such as the Ursula Minor bear and Mowgli the leopard, with a portion of the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity International.

With the extraordinary success of the program, the company has surpassed the halfway point for money needed to build a home with a Habitat family. With the exciting new additions, the company hopes to reach its goal and build a millennium house here in Danbury, CT.

A perfect brother and sister pair, or by themselves, Ethan and Allie retail for $24.99 each. A comfy place to relax and play video games or read a book, the E.A. Kids Inflatable chair retails for $39.99. Are you "Pokemoned" out? Why not give a tiny tot the stars of two of our TV commercials - - the hibernating bear from our classic "Comfort Collection", Ursula Minor ($19.99 each), and Mowgli ($24.99 each), the star of "Animals".

At the local level, retailers are being encouraged to work with their area Habitat affiliate to support community-building projects. Special events might include decorating seminars, furniture raffles or building sessions.

"Ethan Allen's association with Habitat brings together two international organizations committed to the individual communities they serve," said Farooq Kathwari, Chairman and CEO, Ethan Allen Inc. "As a company deeply rooted in family and devoted to creating beautiful homes for its customers, every year we look forward to helping even more families turn their dream of owning a beautiful home into a reality."

"Our ongoing partnership with Ethan Allen is greatly appreciated," said Wanda Smith, Manager of Multicultural/Corporate programs for Habitat for Humanity International. "It is a wonderful example of a corporation committed to ensuring that every person in the world has at least a simple, decent place in which to live."

All products are available at participating stores now through January 9 or, while supplies last. For store locations or information on the Habitat for Humanity project, log onto www.ethanallen.com or call [phone].

Habitat for Humanity(R) International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat works in partnership with people in need throughout the world building simple, decent shelter that is sold to them at no profit, through no-interest loans. Funds, building materials and labor are donated by individuals, churches, corporations and other organizations who share our goal of eliminating substandard housing in the world. Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat is headquartered in Americus, GA.

Ethan Allen, based here, is an international home furnishings company with three saw mills and 21 manufacturing facilities in the United States. There are more than 300 Ethan Allen stores located in North and South America, the Middle East and Asia.