This May, the Ross Medical Education Center campus in Port Huron, MI invited Tracy Willard, founder of Hunter Hospitality House to their campus to speak to staff, faculty, and students. She was able to share some of her story. Tracy and Jeff Willard’s son, Hunter Eldon Willard, was born prematurely in 1991. Sadly, he passed away 16 days later. Twenty years later, his birthday was marked with the grand opening of the Hunter Hospitality House.
Tracy started Hunter Hospitality House as a non-profit organization honoring his memory by providing free lodging for people needing a place to rest near the hospitals in Port Huron. Hunter Hospitality House provides a home away from home when a family member has a loved one in McLaren Port Huron Hospital or St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. The Hunter Hospitality House has been referred to as a gem in the Port Huron community. Although of great importance to many families, they have a very simple philosophy: “Partner with the community and support those in the middle of a medical crisis in Port Huron.”
Other community organizations are joining in to support the cause. Karen Dowden, Nurse Practitioner and Business Director of Lighthouse Family Medicine also serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. So Lighthouse Family Medicine is acting as a drop off point for items needed in the homes. There are now two homes in the Port Huron area, located near each hospital. Tracy keeps the homes stocked with quick, grab and go items as well as essential individual hygiene products. Restaurants in the Port Huron area also provide meals on specific days each week for the temporary residents of the homes. The houses are cleaned and maintained through volunteers from the community.
To learn more or volunteer your time, visit their website, HunterHospitalityHouse.com, visit their Facebook page, or call 810-824-3679.
In order to support, the Ross Medical Education Center campus in Port Huron will be collecting donations of bottled water, single serving size cereal, and men’s and women’s socks through the month of June. Visit the campus at 2887 Krafft Rd, Suite 700, Port Huron, MI to make a donation!