In December, the Jones family pledged their support in the form of a multi-year pledge as a Partners in Hospitality Sustainer. Here’s why:
Why is the Family House important to your family?
Several years ago, my wife Sara’s parents were involved in a near-fatal automobile accident near Augusta, GA. They were air-lifted to the Medical College of Georgia and she and her sister spent a month there while their mother was in intensive care. Their experience in Augusta was extremely stressful, and the situation was compounded by staying at a lonely bare-bones hotel and having many nights of eating fast food or at best, institutional meals in the hospital cafeteria. This experience allowed us to understand first-hand the need for a welcoming place like the SECU Family House to relax and unwind after long hours in the hospital.
What is your favorite Family House memory?
During the first year I was on the Board of Directors, our family volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the Family House guests. Instead of having guests sit at individual tables to eat, we decided to push all the tables together to create one big family table. It was truly amazing to watch individuals and families with heartbreaking situations come together as one big family sharing a meal. There was a lot of laughter and comfort shared that night, as well as delicious pumpkin pie.
To this day I don’t know who received the biggest blessing that night, the families staying at the Family House or our own family.
Why support families and guests who are in a medical crisis when there are many other worthy non-profits?
We have always tried to keep our charitable donations local. With Sara working at Wake Forest Baptist School of Medicine and myself spending 28 years with the State Employees’ Credit Union, as well as our own family experience with medical crises, it just makes sense for us to support the SECU Family House.
Why should others consider a multi-year pledge?
Organizations like the Family House need to be able to plan for the future and multi-year pledges give them a solid basis from which they can commit to helping people into the future…The Jones Family has participated in the Family House since the doors opened. Jeff served on the board of directors as a SECU representative from 2010-2016. His son Matthew completed his Eagle Scout project here in 2017.
The Jones Family has participated in the Family House since the doors opened. Jeff served on the board of directors as a SECU representative from 2010-2016. His son Matthew completed his Eagle Scout project here in 2017.