PLYMOUTH, MA – As the sound of the first swing echoed across the Pine Hills Golf Course, organizers from the non-profit Hospitality Homes were gearing up for a much different day in the office than usual: one that allowed them to spend a day alongside the gracious hosts and partners that make miracles happen for families coming to Boston for treatment all year long.
“Boston, as we all know is a lovely but expensive city,” explains Brian Myers, who stayed with a host family as his wife Carol underwent medical treatment in Boston for 134 nights. “At the time, we wouldn’t have been able to afford it. If it weren’t for hospitality homes, families would not be able to get the world- class medical care they need.”
A day of fun and fundraising in honor of all their year-long work, the golf tournament offered a wide range of silent auction prizes, fresh Del’s lemonade, delicious dishes, a beat the pro stop, and fun with our friends from Ghost tequila. “The vibe has been amazing,” says Sean, a Hospitality Homes Partner via Healing Homes of Boston. “You think about these families going through really the most stressful weeks of their life – I have a 7 month old daughter and I can’t comprehend what it would be like to hear that you have to come for treatment and then think about what a hotel costs.”
Committed to pairing those in need of lifesaving treatments in Boston with hosts, apartments or hotels that can serve as a temporary home base, the non-profit works with a network of partners to find the perfect match for each patient. “I like to think of what we do as a giant jigsaw puzzle,” says Debbie Pepper, Executive Director of Hospitality Homes. “The program team is amazing at taking a family who needs something and matching them with the appropriate accommodation. When my husband and I host, the team knows who’s the right fit for us based on what they need and based on kind of who we are – our personality, our house, the fact that we have a dog that’s friendly. We have apartments designed specifically for people who are immune compromised or who have ambulatory issues or who need a great length of stay – or somebody whose coming from another country who has specific dietary needs and doesn’t speak English.”
Recently celebrating 40 years as an organization, helped over 1,200 families in the last year. “This is very simple,” says Pepper. “This is not a sophisticated concept. It’s what would you want if it was you in their shoes?”
To learn more about Hospitality Homes, visit their website.
To see more stories like this or if you have an event you’d like to pitch to Emmalyn to cover, email emmalyn@emmalynreid.com.
Emmalyn Reid 