Wells Fargo commits $100,000 to Terry’s House

Sandy Raco (right), Central Vally president of Wells Fargo Bank, presents a $50,000 check to Phyllis Baltz, chief operating officer of Community Regional Medical Center, for Terry's House, a lodging facility for loved ones receiving critical care at the hospital.

Terry’s House received $50,000 from Wells Fargo Bank on July 24 at the future site of the home, located on Fresno and R streets in downtown Fresno. The gift is part of Wells Fargo’s $100,000 pledge to be followed by $25,000 in 2010 and $25,000 in 2011. 

“We hope that this gift will benefit the construction and sustainability of Terry’s House for years to come,” said Sandy Raco, Wells Fargo Bank Central Valley market president. “Even though the challenging times of having a loved one in critical care may be something many would rather forget, we hope that they will remember Terry’s House … We are ecstatic to be able to take part in this effort and to support our local businesses and the people in our community.”

Community Medical Centers will break ground on Terry’s House in the fall. Loved ones of patients receiving critical care at Community Regional Medical Center sometimes live too far away to travel to and from the hospital each day, and can’t always afford a hotel room, often sleeping in the waiting room or even in their cars. Terry’s House will offer convenient and affordable lodging for these families.

The facility will be a 17,000-square-foot, two-story home within walking distance of the main entrance of Community Regional. It will have 20 guest rooms with private baths, in-house refrigerators, an activity lounge and sitting areas for relaxation. It also will have a family resource center, children’s activity room, an exercise room and a healing garden.

Raco presented the $50,000 check to Phyllis Baltz, chief operating officer of Community Regional Medical Center.

“This gift is another sign of support of how important Terry's House will be in helping us care for our patients by providing a convenient, close-by facility for the family to retreat to, yet be immediately available to their loved one,” Baltz said. “We hope this gift inspires others to join in our campaign to build Terry's House.”

Community’s Terry’s House is entirely dependent upon private gifts and contributions and Community Medical Foundation’s goal is to reach $5 million to build the house, with additional funds to be raised to cover furnishings and future operations.

The project’s financing began with generous gifts from Tom Richards, Bank of America and Lennar Homes. Tom Richard’s brother, Terry, is the namesake behind Terry’s House. Terry was seriously injured in a car accident when he was 5, and Terry’s mother drove 80 miles a day for months to be with her son.

To learn more about Terry’s House or to make a gift, visit www.TerrysHouseFresno.com.

This story was reported by Rebecca Wass. She can be reached at rwass@communitymedical.org.

Friday, July 24, 2009