Winner Announced in Rebuilding Together Contest 'Rebuilding Dreams Together'

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Sep 16, 2010, 02:31 ET

National Rebuilding Project to Help Homeowners in Need to Take Place in Oklahoma City Thanks to Consumer Voting Results

WASHINGTON and OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --This summer, Econo Lodge® and Rodeway Inn® teamed up with Rebuilding Together to help homeowners in need through the Rebuilding Dreams Together contest. The public voted to decide on one of four deserving finalists, selected by Rebuilding Together, the signature cause of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), to have their house repaired and renovated – and the winner is…

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Treva of Oklahoma City, Okla. – 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.

Treva's home rehabilitation project won the contest after the result of close to 10,000 total votes from consumers nationwide. On October 28, 2010, during national "Make a Difference Day" week, Rebuilding Together, Rebuilding Together Oklahoma City, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn owners will assist in the renovation of Treva's home, providing essential repairs.

However, the three runner-ups will not walk away empty handed. The Econo Lodge Franchisee Association and Rodeway Owners Association are also sponsoring additional funding for the finalists runner-ups, which will be used towards completing their projects.

After the voting period for the Rebuilding Dreams Together project recently concluded, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn also offered consumers who voted the chance to win a sweepstakes package to participate in the project efforts. One lucky voting winner received airfare for two to Oklahoma City where the project will be held, participation on the project, hotel accommodations for two nights, and spending money.

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.

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 Oklahoma City

Rebuilding Together OKC is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, 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. Rebuilding Together OKC makes homes safe, warm, and dry for low-income homeowners 55 years and older in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Last year, the affiliate served 257 individuals. Since 1992 they have worked at over 1,650 homes with the help of over 45,000 volunteers and have provided over $18 million in value to the Oklahoma City community. This spring marks their 20th Anniversary.

To learn more about applying for services or how you can help, please contact 405-607-0464 or [email protected] or visit www.rebuildingtogetherokc.org. You can also follow Rebuilding Together OKC on Twitter @Rebuild2gthrOKC or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rebuilding.togetherokc.

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.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together