Why I Give

Krista became a House Hero Monthly Donor this May. Here’s why.

My dad, Glenn Ratliff, was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in January 2017.

He immediately decided to seek treatment to try to make it to his 50th wedding anniversary in April 2018. My parents lived in Princeton, WV at the time but would seek treatment at Wake Forest Baptist Health. My dad would complete chemo for a few days every few weeks.

He loved staying at the Family House for his treatment. 

It felt like a home to him, and he was able to hear stories of courage and survival from others. Those stories really touched him and gave him a sense of hope when he needed it the most.

He looked forward to chemo and treatment just to be able to stay at the house and visit with others.

I came to visit him a few times while he was there and was touched by how much my dad loved being at the Family House. Each time we would go shopping for donations to bring back to the house.

In May 2018, I was in a near fatal car accident and my mother and sister took turns staying in a similar facility for a month in Charlotte while I was in the hospital. 

Different house, but the same concept.

It kept my family close to me when I needed them the most. They were fed hot meals and had a bed to rest after long days of tending to me in the hospital. I see it from perhaps a different perspective where I was so thankful to have them close when I needed them. Without an affordable option like a Family House, it would not have been possible. I do not know what I would have done without them there for me.

I chose to donate to the Family House because my Dad loved it there. 

I loved being there with him during those times. I have made monthly donations to other foundations for most of my adult life but switched to something a little more personal to me. I feel like most people (luckily) do not know these places of outreach and community exist.

My family became all too familiar with their purpose in the last two years. It is a place that feels like home when you need it the most. When you or a family member are at their worst or lowest, it is a warm meal and open arms.  It is a place where you see the basic good of people where everyone is praying for one another.

I like to think my gift makes it easier for someone to be close to their family when they are sick, or a place of hope for those that are sick.

To hear stories of miracles or to have your life touched by a total stranger sharing the human experience with you. Monthly gifts are convenient and enable you to give a little at a time while making a bigger impact. Maybe I am providing a place of peace for one family a month.

My dad has since passed away but I still have many memories and the some of the last ones are from the Family House visits so I cherish everything that was provided to my family during that time.