Habitat for Humanity's first-ever fleet of Habitat Mobile Response Units will depart Atlanta today to assist communities in New York and New Jerseyrecovering from Hurricane Sandy. Chevrolet donated a total of 24  Express vans including 19  C-20 Panel Vans that will be specially outfitted with tools and equipment donated by Lowe's and the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in Charlotte, N.C., on their way to the New York metro area. Chevrolet also donated five 15-passenger Express vans.

"The Habitat Mobile Response Units are an exciting new offering from Habitat for Humanity that will assist families who need help with critical home repairs," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International. "With winter upon us and many families in need of support, these response units will facilitate our efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. We are immensely grateful to all the volunteers who will work alongside these response units this week and in the months ahead, and to Chevrolet, Lowe's and Bosch for their generous donations."

Habitat's "Repair. Rebuild. Restore." effort to assist with the long-term recovery of communities affected by Hurricane Sandy is underway and will provide families in need with critical home repairs, rehabilitations/reconstruction, weatherization and new construction. 

Upon its arrival, the Habitat fleet will immediately be put into service in Staten Island, N.Y., and Union Beach, N.J., where volunteers will be working to help rebuild affected communities. On Thursday, the mobile response units will be deployed to a dozen Habitat affiliates in the greater New Yorkmetropolitan area to carry out extensive clean-up and repair efforts.

"As the initial reports of Sandy's devastation recede from the headlines, now the hard work of recovery begins to help affected communities and people get back on their feet," said General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. "The Chevy Express vans are the just the right vehicles to carry the people and tools to get the job done."

"In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the whole country witnessed the power of people joining together to help others in need," said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe's director of community relations. "As Lowe's continues to support the long-term recovery of those affected, we recognize that collaborating with our national partners like Habitat expands the assistance we can provide to our neighbors in the Northeast."

"It is not often enough that Bosch is able to make a difference in people's lives on such a large scale," said Terry Horan, president and CEO of Robert Bosch Tool Corporation. "We are grateful that we have the right resources to help the victims of Sandy rebuild their homes and their lives, and we are honored to partner with Habitat for Humanity, Lowe's and General Motors to bring support and renewal to those recovering from the storm."

Following the storm, Habitat for Humanity International launched a multi-phase response to help affected communities. This effort includes a range of services that will address both the short-term and long-term need for safe and decent housing. To make a donation to Habitat for Humanity, please visit www.habitat.org/SandyDonation.