All We Want For Christmas

What are the biggest decisions facing you this Holiday Season?

XBox or Wii?

Turkey or ham?

Where are we spending the Holidays?  Your parents?  My parents?  Crazy Aunt Edna again?

For our guests at The House, these decisions are secondary.

Will I be healthy for New Years?  Will I see a Christmas Tree?  Will I see next Christmas?

People all over the world celebrate the Holidays in their own unique ways.  Our guests come to us from all over the world, and each of them has their own unique story.

The House will be full this Holiday Season, just like every other day.  Our guests, however, still deserve some Holiday Cheer!

We’re thankful that we have friends like the fine ladies of the NAWIC.  They sent a special tweet to the North Pole and managed to get Santa Claus out of his workshop during his busiest time of the year.  He agreed to accompany the NAWIC ladies on a House visit that brought some early cheer to some of our guests.  That cheer goes a long way.

We also have wonderful friends like Ball Office Products.  They know that we’re one of the oldest Hospitality Houses in the country, that we’re one of the oldest, blah blah blah.  They also know that we’re the largest in the country that is funded solely through donations.  Ball Office Products is a locally owned business.  They like to make money.  But they also understand the need to be connected to their community.  That’s why they’ve been known to bring delicious, fresh cookies when they deliver products to their customers.  They know that we’re in an old hotel, and that we have so many guests that we needed a place for folks to “check in” and get daily information.  When you come into The House you’ll see a wonderful front desk and reception area.  Where did that come from?  Ball Office Products.

They’re stepping it up this Holiday Season.

Thing have been so busy around here that many of our needed supplies have become very depleted.   Through the end of the year, if you “Like” Ball Office Products on Facebook they’ll donate something for our pantry.  They’re in the office supply and furniture business, so they’ve got a couple of big trucks.  They would love to fill one up for us.  Just point and click.  “Like”.  See how easy that was?

It does take a nice chunk of change to keep us up and running for our guests.  But it often takes more than that.  We keep a wish list of items that our guests constantly need.  Did you ever go on vacation and realize that you’ve forgotten your toothbrush?  Happens to our guests all the time.  They probably packed in a much bigger hurry for their visit than you did for your vacation.

We also want our guests to have as many of the comforts of home as possible.  That means cooking for themselves when they’re hungry, and having their favorite comfy clothes for resting.  This means that in addition to food items for the pantry, we are always in need of personal toiletries, like toothpaste, dish detergents, and laundry supplies.  We’d like to point out:  EVERYONE at the house likes to take advantage of our laundry rooms!

Please keep in mind that our guests have come to us because they are sick.  Many of our guests are in chemotherapy or are transplant patients, so no crazy dyes or scents.  Just good, old-fashioned detergents.

Most of all, think about us this Holiday Season.  When you’re setting up your new gaming station, we’ll be here.  While your polishing off the last bit of eggnog, we’ll be here.  When you’re heading over the river and through the woods to get your ugly sweater from Crazy Aunt Edna, many of our guests will be on the shuttle bus going back to the hospital.

Perhaps we can add something to your Christmas list:  Help The House.