Manhattan, New York (January 14, 2013) - Gehr Development Corporation, a Gehr Group company, owner of the Fairfield Inn and Suites New York Times Square and the Four Points by Sheraton Midtown Times Square has announced today that the hotels have contributed donations totaling $50,000 to local charitable organizations in New York and New Jersey.   This is in addition to a $25,000 personal donation from Norbert Gehr, Chairman and CEO.  The donations will be used to aid those who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.
 
Hurricane Sandy devastated much of the New York and New Jersey area late October, and left many citizens displaced, without power, uprooted transportation schedules and limited access to daily essentials.   Since the storm, numerous disaster relief efforts have been put into effect to help those in need and continue to restore residents to a sense of normalcy.  As weeks have passed, several New York and New Jersey residents and communities have been able to rebuild their lives.  But many are still in need. 
 
“The impact of the storm was far reaching, and touched our hotels, the guests, as well as our associates and their families”, commented Norbert Gehr.  “Watching and hearing of the effects this storm had motivated me to have our hotels in the community contribute to this cause in addition to my personal contributions.   I encourage other New York hoteliers to assist in the healing efforts".
 
The Gehr Development hotels remained open and were able to continue operations during the storm, calming the guests, stranded international travelers and housing associates to continue servicing the guests under limited conditions.  “The resiliency of our team and their ability to deliver a sense of comfort in a difficult time underlines the importance of our associates and their links to our community”, noted Alfred Somekh, President of Gehr Development.
 
The combined $75,000 is earmarked to service key charitable organizations with established links directed to the New York and New Jersey relief efforts, including the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Fund, Brooklyn Recovery Fund, Community Health Action of Staten Island, FDNY Foundation toward Hurricane Sandy Relief, Jewish Federation – Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City toward Hurricane Sandy Relief, New York City Police Foundation, Salvation Army and the United Way Sandy Recovery Fund.
 
 
About Real Hospitality Group
Real Hospitality Group (RHG) is headquartered in Ocean City, Md., and comprises a team with more than 150 years of combined hospitality and travel industry experience. The Real Hospitality Group portfolio includes 30 hotel properties with an inventory of more than 4,000 rooms in gateway cities that include New York, Philadelphia and locations in Morgantown, West Virginia as well as Glens Falls, Montauk, New York and Ocean City, MD. The company is a recognized service provider for Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, Hyatt, Wyndham, and the Choice Hotels brands as well as a collection of unique independent hotels.  RHG focuses on total service property management, revenue performance and business development for hotels, resorts and investment ownership groups.   For more information, please visit the company website at www.realhospitalitygroup.com.