Make A Big Difference With The Click Of A Mouse

SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn franchisees are giving back to the community by helping to rehabilitate old buildings for use by deserving non-profit organizations.  And they've left the selection process entirely up to website visitors. 

This effort, dubbed the Rebuilding Dreams Project, is in collaboration with Rebuilding Together, the signature cause of Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH), the franchisor of Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn branded hotels.  Rebuilding Together is the largest non-profit organization in the country that focuses on preserving affordable housing and rehabilitating the homes of low-income homeowners and non-profits nationwide.

"True hospitality should extend far past the front doors of our hotels, into the communities where we live and work," said Stephen P. Joyce, president and chief executive officer for Choice Hotels International.  "Our involvement with Rebuilding Together at this event is reflective of the work we've been able to accomplish with our larger commitment with them in giving back to help families in need across the country."

Four organizations represented by Rebuilding Together affiliates from all over the United States are now left as finalists for the $20,000 grant.  The group that receives the most votes will have its facility repaired and renovated on October 25, 2012 as part of national "Make a Difference Day."  Voters can read each group's story and situation then vote at:  www.choicehotels.com/rebuildingtogether.

For taking part in the selection process, voters may also enter a sweepstakes for the chance to win a travel package to pitch in on the Rebuilding Dreams Project.   The package will include airfare for two, participation on the project, hotel accommodations for two nights and $500 spending money.

THE FINALISTS

• Rebuilding Together Broward County will renovate Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth (HANDY). HANDY is a local nonprofit organization that caters to abused, neglected and disadvantaged youth. They serve more than 1,300 children a year ranging in age from birth to 23 years.
• Rebuilding Together Greater Milwaukee has partnered with Urban Underground. Urban Underground, a non-profit 501c3 organization founded in 2000, works to promote a new generation of young leaders committed to building safe and sustainable communities.
• Rebuilding Together Nashville is working with C.E. McGruder Family Resource Center for their project site. McGruder FRC is a collaborative effort between Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, United Way, and Metro Nashville Public Schools. The partners of McGruder FRC are committed to ensuring that families, children, and seniors are safe. Most of their services are offered at no cost and open to the public.
• Rebuilding Together Sacramento will renovate the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. The Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) is a local, non-profit agency committed to serving individuals and families in need. SFBFS provides free emergency goods and services to nearly 20,000 unduplicated men, women and children each month.

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: [email protected] (202) 518-3500.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises approximately 6,200 hotels, representing more than 495,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of June 30, 2012, more than 375 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 30,000 rooms, and approximately 75 hotels, representing approximately 6,700 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in approximately 15 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, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.

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

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 Hotel Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

© 2012 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.