For one single mother in Clarksdale, a recent gift from one local business has helped turn her life around.
When the Chawla Hotels group decided to close its Rodeway Inn in early June as part of a renovation, the company opted to donate 60 rooms of furniture to local residents in need, as well as a number of hotel employees who were rewarded for good service to the community.
Suresh Chawla, president of Chawla Hotels, said the hotel located at 710 S. State St. was closed on June 1 for an extensive renovation. Plans are to reopen it under the American Idea brand by April 1, 2019.
He said they used their contacts with Mayor Chuck Espy’s office to spread the word about the available furniture, and also announced it to community leaders during the recent November meeting of the Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
“Many citizens came to the hotel and picked up used furniture, chairs, lights, mattress sets and old carpet,” Chawla said.
One of the families who benefited from the donation was Marquita Denise Milan and her five children: 10-year-old John Ezekiel Miles, 9-year-old Carmen Tatiana Miles, 6-year-old Elijah M. Milan, 5-year-old Ethan J. Milan and 1-year-old Harmony G. Milan.
Milan and the Chawla Hotel group were brought together by Lisa Fisher, the assistant to Mayor Espy.
Milan had previously been staying at the Chawla Hotel-owned Comfort Inn at 801 S. State St. in Clarksdale, waiting on housing. All within a couple of weeks, she learned she had a home and furniture to go in it. Soon after, Milan was hired
“This young mother was in tears over our kindness,” said Shelley Walker, the vice-president of emerging brands and innovation for Chawla Hotels. “This woman was so thankful and shocked how her life changed so drastically for the good of her and her children.”
In addition to the former Rodeway Inn and the Comfort Inn, Chawla Hotels ownsthe Hampton Inn at 15000 New Africa Road in Clarksdale. They are among 17 hotels in Mississippi owned by Chawla Hotels.
