Throughout the month of June the Port Huron campus of Ross Medical Education Center collected items to be donated to the Hunter Hospitality House. This is the fourth year that the Port Huron campus has gathered items for this very special cause. This year the collection consisted of bottled water, men’s and women’s socks, and single serving cereal. These items were specifically requested by the site as items in need for their guests. The Hunter Hospitality House drive was a great success; many Port Huron students and staff members participated in the drive, allowing the campus to donate six cases of drinking water, a large bin of socks and several boxes of cereal.
Tracy Willard, the founder of Hunter Hospitality House, had visited the campus back in May to share her story and discuss the mission of their organization. The Willard’s son, Hunter Eldon Willard was born premature in 1991 and sadly passed away less than one month later. From this tragic experience came Tracy and her husband Jeff’s recognition that there was a significant need within their community for a lodging facility for exhausted family members of extended stay patients. In memory of their son they founded the Hunter Hospitality House in December of 2011. The non-profit organization provides a place for family to shower, sleep, and eat a meal while still being close to their loved ones in the hospital. Since the opening of the first Hunter Hospitality House in 2011, an additional house has been added to service even more families in need at additional hospitals in the area. Volunteers clean the houses on a weekly basis and local restaurants provide meals during the week, as well. Both homes are maintained through the time, talents, and funds of the Blue Water community.
The Port Huron campus takes great pride in their ability to assist the Hunter Hospitality House and recognizes this very important need in their community. Lindsey Meleg, Medical Assistant student, participated in the Hunter Hospitality House collection and expressed her desire to help by stating, “when a family has a loved one that is in a hospital for an extended period of time sometimes the little things make a big difference. Donating an item that is a need at Hunter House could make that difference for someone.” Career Service Representatives Faith Kirnberger and Shannon Cobb had the opportunity to drop off the donated goods and tour the second home. Faith and Shannon were personally welcomed by Tracy Willard, who was extremely grateful for the donated items by Ross. The campus had attached “Thinking of You” tags on some of the items and Tracy was very appreciative of the extra effort made by the campus. The Port Huron campus will most definitely be working with Hunter Hospitality House again in the near future and will continue spread the word about this special organization.
To learn more or volunteer your time, visit their website, www.hunterhospitalityhouse.com, visit their Facebook page, or call 810-824-3679.