Three months after announcing the Extending Home Capital Campaign, Commonwealth Health Foundation and representatives from Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC) and The Medical Center, broke ground today for a Hospitality House on The Medical Center campus. The 12 private guestroom, private bath facility will serve the family members and caregivers of seriously ill patients receiving treatment at The Medical Center and Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital.
“The Hospitality House will be more than just four walls and a place to sleep. It will be a place where families can rest and re-charge between visits to a loved one. We are grateful to those in our community who are providing financial support to fund the construction and operation of the new Hospitality House,” said Connie Smith, Chief Operating Officer of CHC and Chief Executive Officer of The Medical Center.
“It’s great to finally see dirt moving and things going into motion as we prepare for construction,” said Mike Murphy, Chairman of the Extending Home Capital Campaign Steering Committee. “While we still need to raise nearly $1 million, it is an opportune time to begin construction in light of the unusually low building prices that are expected to increase as we move into summer.
”Commonwealth Health Foundation has raised $2.1 million in donations and pledges during the campaign. The campaign goal of $3 million will cover the costs to construct and furnish the Hospitality House and establish an endowment to ensure ongoing operation.
“We are moving forward with this project on the faith that the community will rally behind us to help us reach our goal and make this most worthy project a success,” said Murphy. Construction will take approximately eight months to complete. “If all goes well with the construction process, hopefully, we will provide one of the biggest Christmas presents ever to Southcentral Kentucky,” added Murphy.
In addition to the 12 private guestrooms and baths, The Hospitality House will feature a large kitchen and dining room to accommodate multiple families, a quiet room for prayer and meditation, a community room with comfortable furnishings, and a business center with computers and internet access. There will not be a charge to stay at The Hospitality House; however, guests who are able to make a donation for each night they stay will be encouraged to do so.
To learn more about The Hospitality House and how you can support the Extending Home Capital Campaign, contact Commonwealth Health Foundation at (270) 796-5543 or visit www.hospitalityhousebg.org.
About Commonwealth Health Foundation
Commonwealth Health Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization established as the philanthropic arm of Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC). Commonwealth Health Foundation helps build relationships and partnerships across Southcentral Kentucky that will inspire charitable giving by individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations. These gifts help support the mission of CHC to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.CommonwealthHealthFoundation.org or call (270) 796-5543.
About Commonwealth Health Corporation
Commonwealth Health Corporation is the parent company of The Medical Center at Bowling Green, Franklin, and Scottsville, Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital and various healthcare related entities throughout Southcentral Kentucky. With a mission to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves, CHC and its entities contributed $56.9 million in total benefits to the community in fiscal year 2009 including millions through charity care for the uninsured and shortfalls in governmental reimbursements (Medicare and Medicaid). To learn more about CHC, visit www.chc.net.
