MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND MARKS FIRST OF TWENTY PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) and Rebuilding Together launched their national relationship on Friday, September 11th, by providing substantial repairs and renovations to Stepping Stones Shelter in Montgomery County, Md. More than 100 Choice Hotels volunteers were onsite to help make 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 Association, 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 11th launch and November 18th, 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 chief executive officer 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." "Low income homeowners are struggling to maintain homeownership. We are tackling these issues of community stabilization on a day-to-day basis," said Gary Officer, president and chief executive officer of Rebuilding Together. "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. About Rebuilding Together Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing critical home repair and modification services to those in need at no cost to homeowners. 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. In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together also rehabilitates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on aging in place. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to energy efficiency, veteran's housing, and disaster recovery and reconstruction. For more information, visit http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/ About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 5,900 hotels, representing more than 479,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of June 30, 2009, more than 800 hotels are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 64,000 rooms, and an additional 110 hotels, representing approximately 8,700 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 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 serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States 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 http://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 Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International. DATASOURCE: Choice Hotels International, Inc. CONTACT: Heather Soule of Choice Hotels International, +1-301-628-4361, ; or Becky Carter of Rebuilding Together, +1-202-518-3500, Web Site: http://www.choicehotels.com/

Copyright