America's Votes Help to Provide Home Repairs for Those in Need

SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After last year's success, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn franchisees have once again teamed up with Rebuilding Together, the signature cause of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), franchisor of the Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, to help homeowners in need through the Rebuilding Dreams project in recognition of "Make a Difference Day."  

One deserving homeowner with the most votes from among four different potential projects will win home renovations and repairs courtesy of volunteers from Rebuilding Together, the Econo Lodge Franchisee Association and the Rodeway Inn Owners Association. Rebuilding Together is a non-profit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing extensive rehabilitation and modification services to those in need at no cost to those served.

Consumers are invited to review the heartfelt stories of four homeowners in need and vote for the project that they'd most like to see completed, whether it's in their own town or halfway across the country. Voting begins today at ChoiceHotels.com/RebuildingTogether and will end September 16th. The winning homeowner will receive house repairs and renovations on October 21, 2011, kicking off national "Make a Difference Day."  

Here are the four rebuilding projects that America can vote for:

1) Daisy & Joseph – Los Angeles, Calif.

Daisy and her husband Joseph were proud homeowners who lived in their home for over 27 years. Daisy suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, which limits her mobility. Daisy has the use of only three fingers on each hand and has difficulty lifting her feet off the ground. With the decision for Daisy and her husband to remain in their home, they fell on hard economic times. The proud and private couple had to make some very tough life decisions based on their current circumstances. The outcome of these decisions resulted in deferred maintenance projects on their home. The couple exhausted all their resources to keep themselves in their home. Then last year, with the unexpected death of Joseph, Daisy has struggled to remain independent and is determined to stay in her home. As Daisy's condition worsens, her income will not support the necessary modifications that will allow her to remain in her home safely.  

2) Archie – Dallas, Texas

Archie is a United States Army Veteran who served his country in active duty during the Korean War. He is 75 years old and has called Dallas home since the early 1960's. He is currently disabled and undergoing chemotherapy for prostate cancer at the Veterans hospital in Dallas. He has raised three adult children who live in the Dallas area and has 3 grandchildren. His son Derek, who also has disabilities, has lived with his father and taken care of him in the home the last several years, until an electrical fire damaged the home in June 2009. Archie and his son's family have had to move and live with his daughter in Mesquite, Texas. The distance from his daughter's home to the Veteran's Hospital has forced Archie to recently take residence at the hospital during his cancer treatments. Archie wants to live out the rest of his life in the home where his children grew up. He lost everything during the fire. The impact this grant will have is tremendous. We will literally be giving Archie his home back.

3) Sandra – Miami, Fla.

Sandra, age 64, has lived in her three-bedroom, two-bathroom home for 30 years. Sandra grew up in Miami and had four children, one of whom is now deceased. Her sister died of breast cancer last year and consequently, her sister's son is living with her, along with two grandchildren, ages 11 and 15.  Sandra has multiple health issues including maofascial pain syndrome, depression, osteoarthritis and hyperlipidemia. In the last year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and broke her neck in an auto accident. As a result of the auto accident, Sandra has limited movement and is unable to drive. She needs help to cook, clean and shower. Her house needs quite a bit of work due to her disabilities. Sandra remains positive despite her health and house repair problems. This is a very deserving family that has been on Rebuilding Together Miami's waiting list for a year.

4) Delois – Detroit

Delois is 52 years old. She has lived in her home for more than 37 years. At the moment, she is the only one in the household; however, she is trying to gain custody of her grandchildren. Her grandchildren are going through a rough time currently and need a safe environment to grow up in. Children's Services is working with Delois in regards to gaining custody. She believes that she can provide an emotionally safe environment for her grandchildren, but not physically safe due to damages in her home. In order for these children to move into their grandmother's home and have a safe environment in which to grow and develop, repairs are needed on the home. Delois needs several major repairs done after a terrible house fire. These funds can help not only this one individual, but will help the lives of children with an uncertain future.  She would be able to remain in her neighborhood and raise her grandchildren in a place that is not only emotionally safe, but physically safe as well.

Additionally, there will be a sweepstakes for consumers who cast votes during the Rebuilding Dreams contest*.  At the end of the contest, one voter will be drawn as the sweepstakes winner, receiving:

• Round trip airfare for two to the city where the project is held
• Participation on the project on October 21st
• Hotel accommodations for two nights
• $500 in spending money

In addition, all consumers who sign up for the Choice Privileges rewards program from Choice Hotels while voting for their preferred project will automatically receive 1,000 bonus points.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years or older.  Begins 8/25/11 and ends 9/9/11.  To play and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize descriptions visit http://www.choicehotels.com/rebuildingtogether.  Void where prohibited.

About 2010 Rebuilding Dreams contest

The winner of the Rebuilding Dreams contest last year was the Treva family of Oklahoma City, Okla. The Treva family won after receiving more than 10,000 votes. Ms. Treva is a 69 year old woman whose home was in much need of repair following a severe hail storm. Ms. Treva was also taking care of her 30 year old daughter, recovering after a life saving kidney transplant. Because of Ms. Treva's own ailing health and partial blindness, she was not able to make home repairs herself; but thanks to Rebuilding Together, the Econo Lodge Franchisee Association and the Rodeway Inn Owners Association, the Treva family now resides in a safe and comfortable home.

For more information on the Rebuilding Dreams contest and to cast your vote today, visit ChoiceHotels.com/RebuildingTogether. Make sure to cast your vote and make a difference for one family in need!

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of June 30, 2010, more than 580 hotels are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 47,000 rooms, and approximately 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,700 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in 20 other countries and territories. The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

About Rebuilding Together:

Rebuilding Together is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing extensive rehabilitation and modification services to those in need at no cost to those served. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners and the communities in which they live by completing 10,000 projects per year. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to energy efficiency, veteran's housing, aging in place and Gulf Coast reconstruction.

For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

You can also follow Rebuilding Together on Twitter @rebldgtogthr or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether. Media Contact: Becky Carter, [email protected]

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

© 2011 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.