CHEP, the global leader in pallet and container pooling solutions, is helping to build the first-ever multifamily community undertaken by Habitat for Humanity Orlando, the nonprofit organization announced recently. Staghorn Villas is being funded in part by $250,000 from CHEP, Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America - an international reinsurance company - and HD Supply - a leading wholesale distribution company. Completion of the development is expected to be spring 2011.

Habitat Orlando is building the $6 million townhome development on a 3.9-acre site at Staghorn Drive and Silver Star Road to provide affordable housing to 58 local families. Staghorn Villas features 10 buildings with four to eight units each, surrounded by green spaces and play areas. The donation by CHEP will fund the construction of one building.

Habitat Orlando has traditionally relied on donations from the local community to fund its work. Due to the magnitude of this new development, Habitat's finance committee developed a comprehensive funding plan that includes government grants, private-foundation grants and commercial financing in addition to continued support from the Central Florida community.

"CHEP is committed to supporting the communities where we operate. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity are helping rebuild the lives of those in need here in Orlando and that's very important to us, our local team and our extended corporate family," said Michael Lamb, President of CHEP USA.

In addition to their financial contribution, CHEP and its employees donated 1,065 work hours to help build an Orlando Habitat for Humanity house dedicated in February to the Castillo family.

"The opportunity for CHEP employees to work one on one with those personally helped by this wonderful initiative is added incentive to continue to invest resources in programs such as this. The experience of working with the Castillo family was one that none of us will soon forget," Lamb continued.

CHEP associates have organized several charitable activities under the company's CHEP Cares initiative, which was launched in 2006. In the past year, CHEP and its employees have raised more than $90,000 for Junior Achievement, Toys for Tots, the American Heart Association, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, America's Second Harvest Food Bank, March of Dimes, the Rainforest Alliance and for disaster relief. More than 200 CHEP employees volunteered over 2,000 hours to these and other charities