Commonwealth Health Corp. representatives set out the welcome mat Tuesday at an open house for The Hospitality House.
“It has been a dream for a long time,” said Connie Smith, The Medical Center chief executive officer and CHC chief operating officer. “It will provide a home away from home for families of critically ill patients at The Medical Center and Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital.”
Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce chairman Joe Natcher agreed.
“Commonwealth Health Corp. had a vision. They saw a need for the families (who have patients) at The Medical Center,” he said. “With the help of the community, it became a reality.”
Located at High Street and Fifth Avenue, the 13,564-square-foot Hospitality House will open to families, caregivers and qualified outpatients in January. It features 12 private guest rooms and baths, a large kitchen and dining room to accommodate multiple families, a prayer room, a community room, laundry facilities and a business center with computers and Internet access. Each guest room will accommodate up to three people with one room per hospital patient.
“Today is a big day for us. The Hospitality House provides a place for guests to relax and recharge,” said Carla Reagan, executive director of The Hospitality House and Commonwealth Health Free Clinic. “We have the distinct benefit of knowing why people are staying with us, so we can provide support ... and a unique brand of hospitality.”
The Hospitality House will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with two full-time and three part-time employees. Guests will be referred to the facility, so there will be no reservations by phone. There will be no charge to stay there, but guests who are able to make a donation for each night they stay will be encouraged to do so.
“If they can’t donate, we hope to have other people to donate on their behalf,” Reagan said.
In January, the Commonwealth Health Foundation, CHC’s philanthropic division, began taking pledges and donations with the Extending Home Capital Campaign. The goal was to raise $3 million to help build, furnish and staff The Hospitality House and establish an endowment to ensure ongoing operation. So far, the foundation has raised more than $2.9 million.
“Look what Santa Claus has brought to the Bowling Green community. The response to fund this much-needed project has been overwhelming,” said Mike Murphy, chairman of the Extending Home Capital Campaign steering committee. “It has shown what can happen when community members can come together for such a worthy cause. We’ve all known people in this situation and your heart breaks for them. What a place to take a break or spend the night. It’s such a great thing.”
The work is not over, though, Murphy said. The Hospitality House will still need donations as well as volunteers and community help to keep things running smoothly.
“We’ve got to have everybody’s continued support,” he said.
Reagan agreed.
“We urge people to be a part of the ongoing operation,” she said.
— For more information about The Hospitality House or how to support the Extending Home Capital Campaign, call 796-5543 or visit www.hospitalityhousebg.org.
