MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Members of the West Virginia University chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society of professional counseling for master’s level students, were looking for a way to give back to the Morgantown community when they came across the Rosenbaum Family House’s Expansion of Hope campaign.
“We were interested in expanding our efforts this academic year so that future generations of our honorary have well-established philanthropic opportunities in and around Morgantown,” President Jennifer Randall said.
Randall, a native of Buckhannon, said she was touched when a family friend shared her story about staying at Rosenbaum Family House, which provides lodging and support services to out-of-town adult patients and their families while the patients are receiving medical treatment at WVU Healthcare. The house is adjacent to Ruby Memorial Hospital.
“I know this family’s struggle was lessened by the efforts of the staff and volunteers at Family House,” Randall said.
To assist with the Expansion of Hope campaign, which is aimed at not only expanding Family House but also enhancing the current facility, Chi Sigma Iota members are collecting change at area businesses from the Houses of Hope boxes on display. The boxes were donated by Scott Radman, of Meyer, Ford, Glasser and Radman PLLC, who is a member of the Family House advisory board.
The boxes are currently located at 12 businesses throughout the Morgantown area: Archie’s Restaurant and Pub; Black Bear Burritos; Buck’s Corner Pub; Chic-n-Bones Rhythm Café; Crockett’s Lodge; Daniel’s Men’s Clothing; Friends Gift Shop at WVU Hospitals; Howard Hanna Real Estate; Kegler’s Sports Bar and Lounge; Miller Orthopedics; Slight Indulgence; and the UPS Store on Patteson Drive. To date approximately $500 in change has been collected from the boxes. Boxes will be placed at additional locations in the near future.
In addition to collecting change every two weeks, Chi Sigma Iota members also hosted a dinner for Family House patients and guests from 5 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 4.
“We are very grateful that the members of Chi Sigma Iota are donating their time to help our guests both in collecting change and preparing this meal,” Jena Prokopchuk, director of Rosenbaum Family House, said. “Our guests are far from home and truly appreciate a home-cooked meal. These meals provide a taste of home and opportunity for fellowship.”
For more information on the Expansion of Hope campaign and other ways to assist Rosenbaum Family House see http://wvuhealthcare.com/rosenbaum/help.aspx or contact Suzanne Likins, Family House development specialist, at 304-598-6094 ext. 4 or likinssu@wvuh.com.
For more information on Rosenbaum Family House see http://wvuhealthcare.com/rosenbaum/index.aspx.
