In the early 1970s, a New York couple faced one of the most devastating situations parents ever face: their child had cancer. The 13-year-old boy eventually died, and in the aftermath, the couple recalled their experiences at the cancer center where he received treatment. They especially thought about the other patients' families who slept in waiting rooms because they had no place else to stay.
The couple decided to buy a house near the hospital. They arranged for an order of Catholic nuns to operate it as a temporary home-away-from-home for outpatients and caregivers. And without realizing it, they created the first known hospitality house.
A Tradition of Helping Others
The Hospitality House of Methodist Hospital Foundation, which opened in 1997, follows in the tradition of that first hospitality house. Supported by charitable contributions, we provide temporary lodging for people who travel to Oak Ridge for extended medical treatment.
The house serves primarily patients of the Methodist Regional Cancer Center and their caregivers. Other outpatients of Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge and their families may use the facilities when space is available. All guests must live 30 or more miles from Oak Ridge and must be referred by an appropriate person at the cancer center, the medical center, or a physician's office.
The Comforts of Home
The Hospitality House has all the comforts of home. Our guests stay in one of four cozy suites and share the use of our living room, kitchen-dining area, and laundry room. In warm weather, they can enjoy the picnic area in the backyard, as well.
A Source of Strength
The house's full-time director and staff of volunteers create an atmosphere in which guests can become part of a larger "family." Patients and caregivers have an opportunity to share their feelings and draw strength from one another. That's important when people are feeling the emotional, physical, and financial pressures of a medical crisis.
An Opportunity to Help
The Hospitality House of Methodist Hospital Foundation offers these services free of charge, but we welcome donations. Without your generous support, we could not continue to provide a "home away from home" for people facing a medical crisis.
We especially need volunteers to:
- House "sit"
- Run errands
- Prepare and deliver a meal
- Work in the yard
We gladly accept donations in the form of:
- Cash, stocks, bonds, personal property or real estate
- Electronic fund transfers
- VISA and Mastercard charges
Here are just a few examples of what your gifts to the Hospitality House can provide:
- $65 -- pays a month's utilities for one guest suite
- $200 -- provides groceries for a month
- $200 -- repaints an entire guest suite
- $350 -- provides 7 nights' lodging for a family to occupy one suite
- $800 -- pays a year's utilities for one guest suite
- $2500 -- provides a year's upkeep for one guest suite
- $10,000 -- names a suite for you, a loved one, or your organization
If you would like to volunteer your services, make a donation, or learn more about the Hospitality House, please call the Methodist Hospital Foundation at (865) 481-1890 or the Hospitality House at (865) 481-5923.
