Conventioneers offer spare rooms to needy families

DENVER - Sandra Bivin never expected to be treated like this. She's been unemployed for the past six months, living at transitional housing, trying to raise her three kids. But, this week, she's living it up at the Westin Tabor Center Hotel.

But, this week, she's living it up at the Westin Tabor Center Hotel.

"Just walking in and out of here, you just kind of have this, feeling of pride," said Bivin. "I'm in here with all the rich people."

Bivin and seven other low-income families are participating in the Handyman Matters 7th Annual National Convention in downtown Denver.

"Handyman Matters" is a Lakewood-based building services company which overbooked hotel rooms about two years ago.

"We turned it from a negative situation into a positive situation," said Andy Bell, president and founder of Handyman Matters.

Bell said instead of canceling the rooms, he decided to spend an extra $50 per room per night to have needy families take a vacation from their lives and join in on their meals and convention.

"The Westin's been wonderful, couldn't have had a better partner in this. And it's just really lifted the spirits of everybody at the convention that we can help," said Bell. "Instead of putting it in our pockets, let's give it to these folks and share something nice and wonderful."

Bell calls it the HAND project for Have A Nice Day. Bivin and seven other families who are living in transitional housing with the Volunteers of America actually got four days to enjoy the amenities at the Westin Tabor Center Hotel.

Bivin has three children, ages 5, 11, and 12, and another one on the way in about three months.

She has been working to get her accounting degree, and has had little opportunity to work since getting pregnant. She says this opportunity is a nice little vacation from life.

"Having the car valeted, I'm not sure that I've ever in my life valeted a car," said Bivin. "I get to do it, you know, five or six times a day."

Her son, Anthony, says they all needed a chance to relax.

"Because, we don't really usually have a swimming pool at our house," said 12-year-old Anthony Bivin.

They have enjoyed the pool, restaurants, and cleaning service over their four days all free of charge in an upscale hotel which has a standard room rate of up to $300 per night.

"They come in and clean so well everyday," said Sandra Bivin. "It's like a new room every time we come in."

Bell hopes his company can serve as an example to others who may find themselves with over bookings or other extras from conventions.

"I just hope other companies do something nice for the communities, share with the world something nice," said Bell. "Just help people have a nice day."

Anthony says his mom needed it the most.

"Yeah, it's been rough," said Anthony. "She's pregnant and it's hard for her to a lot of things."

Handyman Matters has franchises in 33 states around the country and others in Ireland.

Bell says the convention attendance was down because of sagging business with some of the franchise owners.

As a part of company policy, each franchise is encouraged to do at least six hours of community work each month.

He says after the convention, his company will work with Volunteers of America to find ways to help other needy families.

Sunday morning, reality will return to the lives of the Bivins and the other families.

"It's gonna suck," said Anthony Bivin.

Mom agreed.

"To be poor again, yeah, absolutely," said Sandra Bivin.

But, she says she feels recharged after living a different life for a few days.

"This vacation was so great," said Sandra Bivin. "Thank you so much to Handyman Matters."