SILVER SPRING, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Rebuilding Together launched their national relationship on September 11, by providing substantial repairs and renovations to Stepping Stones Shelter in Montgomery County, Md. More than 100 Choice Hotels volunteers were onsite to help with the renovations.
This project is the first of 20 Rebuilding Together projects made possible by a grant awarded by the Choice Hotels International Foundation, in addition to a grant provided by the Rodeway Owners Assn., focused on repairing the homes of low-income families. The multi-year relationship—named “Room to Rebuild”—is part of the ongoing commitment by Choice Hotels to strengthen the local communities in which their associates and franchisees live, work and provide hospitality. In the 65-day span between the September 11 launch and November 18, an estimated 700 Choice Hotels volunteers will put in nearly 5,000 volunteer hours dedicated to Rebuilding Together projects.
“This is what hospitality is all about,” said Stephen P. Joyce, president and CEO of Choice Hotels International. “Through the relationship with Rebuilding Together, the owners, operators and employees of our nearly 5,000 franchised hotels nationwide have made a major commitment to make a difference in the communities in which we all live and work.”
Important Needs Addressed
“Low income homeowners are struggling to maintain homeownership,” said Gary Officer, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “We are tackling these issues of community stabilization on a day-to-day basis. Choice Hotels is making our critical work possible in one community after another where their employees and franchisees are showing leadership by addressing the needs of the community.”
The inaugural event included remarks from Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Stephen Joyce and Gary Officer. Other local dignitaries in attendance included Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz.
During the day, significant structural and aesthetic repairs were made to the Stepping Stones Shelter, including installation of new carpeting, construction of radiator covers, upgrading the electrical circuits, securing window screens, latches, and child guards, and safety modification upgrades to the back porch. This project also served to celebrate President Obama’s United We Serve call to service, a joint venture of the Corporation for National and Community Service and the White House.
Go to Choice Hotels and Rebuilding Together.
