| July 22, 2004
National Hospital Hospitality House Week on tap
MGH offering tours, free refreshments in Hospitality Rooms on Thursday,
July 29
To help
celebrate the role hospital hospitality programs play in their
communities, the National Association of
Hospital Hospitality Houses Inc. has designated July 25-31 as National
Hospital Hospitality House Week to recognize the benefits to patients
and their families.
Families and patients of all ages and walks of life have found
a haven within the warm, home-like environments provided by hospitality
houses and lodging programs.
On Thursday, July 29, the public is invited to join in celebrating
National Hospital Hospitality House Week from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
at the Hospitality
Rooms at Marquette General Hospital and from
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Beacon
House.
Free refreshments and tours will be offered in the MGH Hospitality
Rooms. The hospitality rooms at MGH provide an economic alternative
to overnight lodging for patients’ family members who live
more than 50 miles away. Currently, there are 21 beds available
a nominal fee of $10 per person per night.
The MGH Hospitality Rooms are located on the second floor of the ’69
building. Guests are asked to take the Skywalk from the Parking
Ramp and follow the signs.
Out of 185 houses in the National Association of Hospital Hospitality
Houses, the MGH Hospitality program is among the few actually located
inside the hospital itself, much less on its grounds. MGH Hospitality
Rooms host an average of 1,300 families each year.
“
We encourage everyone to take the time to learn more about our
services. We are very lucky to have a close and inexpensive program
available to patients’ family members in their time of need,” said
Margaret Parker, Guest Services Coordinator for the MGH Hospitality
Rooms. “Without the combined efforts of the hospital and
the Marquette General Healthcare Volunteers, this service would
not be available.”
At Beacon House, free hotdogs, root beer floats and tours will
be available. Beacon House, Upper Peninsula’s Hospitality
House located at 1301 N. Third St., provides no-cost lodging for
patients and families who must travel to Marquette for medical
care. They can relax in the living areas and find support and comfort
from others who are going through similar experiences.
Patients and families are afforded the opportunity to cook and
share meals at the Beacon House in a fully equipped kitchen, stay
in rooms with private baths, and have the use of on-site laundry
facilities. Donations are accepted to help support the cost of
operation.
In the past two years, Beacon House has hosted more than 27,000
MGH and Peninsula Medical Center patients and their families.
The Beacon House, a non-profit organization supported by the generosity
of individuals, businesses and foundations, has a 24-person Board
of Directors who represent areas across the Upper Peninsula.
Dave Bammert, Executive Director of Beacon House, said: ”We
enjoy highlighting the accomplishments of the hospitality program
within the Marquette community. It’s a good chance to showcase
our facility to the public.”
During the tours, Hospitality Rooms and Beacon House staff will
be available to answer questions and information will be available
to the public. Econo Foods of Marquette, Jilbert’s Dairy
of Marquette, Midway Rentals of Negaunee, PepsiAmericas and Vollwerth’s
of Hancock are donating refreshments and equipment for the event.
For more information or volunteer opportunities available at the
Beacon House, call 225-7100. For information on the MGH Hospitality
Rooms, call Parker at 225-3664 or 1-800-562-9753, ext. 3664.
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