It is not the first time Holiday Inn and Suites have helped people out during a crisis. Just last year, they opened their doors to those affected by the spring floods, even to volunteers Рand this year they have stepped up to the plate again. Owned by Groupe Robin, a family business, their three Holiday Inn and Suites locations in Saint-Hyacinthe, Trois-Rivi̬res and in Vaudreuil-Dorion are offering truck drivers a much needed break Рwith free room and board during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Truck drivers have been working day and night transporting much needed supplies, and with so many businesses closed along their routes it has been difficult for them to find an open restaurant, a washroom, never mind a place to take a shower. Some drivers have been wearing the same clothes for days at a time and drinking endless cups of coffee just to keep the wheels rolling. “Our heroes of the road,” said Groupe Robin’s hotel operations manager Kristopher Wekarchuk in an interview with the Montreal Times. “With everything closed, we have opened our doors… we are hoping other hotels join in with us during this challenging time.”
Understanding and appreciating what these drivers are doing, picking up and moving their lorry loads across the country, they are offering them to stay free of charge for a half-hour period at one of their three locations. They can use a clean washroom, take a shower or even power nap, grab a bite to eat and leave with a free cup of coffee for the road. Should any of the drivers need a good sleep, they are also offering them special rates. On online forums, drivers have reacted with appreciation to the offer and they expect to welcome an increasing number of them. There have been over 750,000 views on social media posts about their initiative from people, as the word spreads.
Groupe Robin is a developer, builder and property manager across the province of Quebec. As they state on their website, they are ‘committed to the success of its projects, the family business has built several hundred residences and condominiums and manages its real estate holdings: residential, commercial, hotel and retirement residences with services’. And we tip our hats to them!
Other articles from mtltimes.ca and totimes.ca
