Anonymous donor gives $750,000 toward Terry’s House

Community board of trustees chair Kevin Follansbee announced in November that construction on Terry's House will begin in January. The project depends on private gifts and contributions to build and maintain the facility.

In the past several months, local radio and television stations PEAK Broadcasting, LLC, ABC 30, KSEE 24 and KMPH FOX 26 have stepped in to help create awareness of the private support needed to build Terry’s House. Through these efforts, one Valley family stepped in and gifted $750,000 to help build the home.

“We are ecstatic about Terry’s House becoming a reality,” said Tim Joslin, CEO of Community Medical Centers. “It’s another piece to becoming a world-class regional medical center and another step in the right direction as we serve our community and beyond. We appreciate the support of this family and other individuals and families who have come through these rough economic times to give back.”

The anonymous donors asked only that Community Medical Centers adds a chapel to the home.The gift will guarantee that a quiet, comfortable and spiritual space for the families at Terry's House.

Currently, Community Regional Medical Center and Clovis Community Medical Center have chapels, offering people of all denominations and religions a place to go to pray or meditate. Hospital chaplains are available for patients and families, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for emotional and spiritual support, regardless of their faith.

“My role is to find out what their needs are and help them in any way possible emotionally and spiritually,” said Grimaldo Enriquez, Community’s chaplain services supervisor.

Having gone through a recent family tragedy, registered nurse Lynn Bennink, trauma director for Community Regional, understands the importance of faith-based support both at the hospital and away from the hospital. She says family members often try to stay strong and supportive while at the hospital, but can break down once they leave.

“Our anonymous donors truly fit the definition of people we want involved in Terry’s House,” Bennink said.

“They understand that at Terry’s House, we will not be able to change the outcome of the patient in the hospital but we can impact the journey of the family going through this difficult time. Having a chapel or a place for reflection at Terry’s House will help with this mission by providing additional support and comfort to many of our families during their difficult journey.”

The 17,000-square-foot home also will have an outdoor healing garden where people can go to retreat.

“People seek comfort and find peace in different ways,” Bennink said. “A healing garden and a chapel complement each other in that they will provide our families with options.”

For more information on Terry’s House and how you can give, visit www.TerrysHouseFresno.com or call 559.459.2670.

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

Thursday, December 17, 2009