Donation pushes Hospitality

House toward goal
By Melanie Marshall

A new home for Hospitality House shelter is closer to reality as funds continue to come in for the group’s campaign.

On Thursday, market president for Wachovia Bank Jason Triplett, presented $10,000 to Brenda Lyerly, chair of the Hospitality House board of directors, and Lynne Mason, executive director.

Triplett said the $10,000 is the first installment of a $20,000 funding commitment by Wachovia made at the kick-off of the combined campaign in August 2008.

“We wanted to pay as quickly as possible to provide funding for construction,” Triplett said. “It is easy to support an organization like this. It is a priority I feel good about in the community.”

The combined campaign is an effort by the organization to raise $3 million toward the construction of a new shelter and the funds necessary to maintain operations for three years.

A 1.9 acre lot was given to the Hospitality House by the Watauga County Commissioners in January of 2008 for the construction of a new building that will centralize all of the services provided by the non-profit and will offer much needed additional space.

The Hospitality House currently operates out of three small locations and is the only homeless shelter in a seven county area (aside from domestic violence shelters).

Currently, the organization has raised $2.4 million.

“This is a shelter that will be built by the generosity of our community and for that we are grateful,” said Jill Kuykendall Landers, director of development for Hospitality House.

“What is amazing is the level of support even during these economic times,” Mason said.

The board of directors is hoping to be able to break ground at the new site this summer. The organization is waiting for funds from a community development block grant award.

The new site will allow the Hospitality House to expand services.

The emergency shelter on King Street can house only 35 people. The new site will be able to house 62, with separate space for women and children — something the current location lacks.

A large commercial kitchen is also proposed for the new site. The large kitchen will make it easier to serve an average 200 meals per day. The King Street shelter kitchen is the size of an average residential space, making meal preparation a challenge.

Board members also hope to use the commercial kitchen to train clients seeking jobs in the hospitality industry.

Landers said the additional space at the new site will also allow for expanded services, including counseling, health screenings, job training, life skills and mental health assessment.

There will also be more office space.

“Right now we have up to three staff members sharing each office space,” Landers said. “This is especially difficult when staff need to meet privately with clients or one another.”

The Hospitality House is continuing to seek donations and organize fundraisers for the remaining $600,000 needed. A few examples are a cocktail party on Aug. 8 at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock, an annual luncheon on Aug. 20, and a golf tournament hosted by Casa Rustica and RedTail Mountain on Aug. 27.

Details of each fundraiser will be available in The Mountain Times, the Watauga Democrat and online at www.hospitalityhouseofboone.org.

Individual donations can be made online at the Web site securely with a credit card.

The organization also accepts donations of toiletries (soap, shampoo, shaving supplies, deodorant and feminine supplies) and food donations.

The shelter has experienced an increase in families with children in need of services. Donations of diapers, wipes and pull-ups are also needed.

For more information on donations or becoming involved as a volunteer, contact Landers at (828) 262-3461 or via email at development@hospitalityhouseofboone.org.

“We are more than food and shelter. Anyone can offer those things to someone in crisis. We are a program with supportive services to help people begin rebuilding their lives,” Landers said.

“We offer hope to those who might otherwise feel helpless and lost. This is a service our community desperately needs and we are grateful for the support of our faithful volunteers, donors and advocates.”