Econo Lodge Franchise and Rodeway Inn Sponsor Rebuilding Dreams Together - The National Rebuilding Project to Help Homeowners in Need

Econo Lodge
Published: August 30th, 2010

SILVER SPRING, Md. // PRNewswire // -- This summer, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn have teamed up with Rebuilding Together, the signature cause of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), to help homeowners in need through the Rebuilding Dreams Together project. The public vote decides which of four finalists, selected by Rebuilding Together affiliates, will have their house repaired and renovated on October 28, 2010, during the week of national "Make a Difference Day".

Rebuilding Together is the largest non-profit organization in the country that focuses on preserving affordable housing and helps rehabilitate homes of low-income homeowners. Voting for the Rebuilding Dreams Together project began on August 25, 2010, and the winner will be announced the week of September 13, 2010. Rebuilding Together, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn owners will assist in the renovation of the winner's home, providing essential repairs. Finalists are as follows:

• Treva – Treva is a 68 year old woman in Oklahoma City whose home is in need of repair following a severe hail storm in May. Her home is nearly collapsing as she struggles to care for her 30 year old daughter, who recently had a kidney transplant. Treva is partially blind and has heart problems, which along with money obstacles, make it difficult to repair her home. She is now battling the health hazards of a rat infestation due to the holes in her roof. Furthermore, the ceiling is falling in many rooms of her home and there are numerous electrical and heating problems.
• Debbie and Scott – Debbie and Scott live in Deltona, Fla. with their terminally ill son. Debbie and Scott have shouldered the financial burden and worries of caring for their son. Debbie was forced to quit her job to provide constant care to her son, and the family now relies on Scott's limited income. Their son's extensive medical needs require serious alterations to the family's house: he needs full support when bathing, the entryways into the house are too small for wheelchair accessibility, and other repairs are required to allow a better quality of life.
• EMQ Families First – Located in Davis, Calif., the mission of EMQ Families First is to help children and families in crisis. They are recognized for their innovative mental health treatment, foster care, and social services that help families recover from trauma, abuse and addiction. The Davis location of Families First has 9 homes on its property that are in need of repair.
• Bessie – Bessie is an independent 83 year old woman living in Dallas, Texas, for the past 31 years. Present and active in her community, she prides herself on mentoring younger generations in her low-income neighborhood. She suffers from lung disease, kidney disease and heart problems. She has also fallen several times throughout her home, which is in dire need of various safety modifications. Unfortunately, due to her extensive health problems and a limited budget, she unable to have these repairs completed on her own.

Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn are sponsoring additional funding for the finalists and semi-finalists. The additional funding will be used towards completing their projects.

In addition to the Rebuilding Dreams Together project, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn are offering consumers the chance to win a sweepstakes package to participate in the project efforts. The package includes airfare for two to the city where the project will be held, participation on the project, hotel accommodations for two nights, and $500 spending money.*

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.

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.

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.

© 2010 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes begins 8/25/10 and ends 9/10/10. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit choicehotels.com/rebuildingtogetherrules. Sponsor: Choice Hotels International Services Corp., 10750 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20901.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.