Dear Friends,
On behalf of the board of directors, staff and advisers at Restoring Hope Transplant House, I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season. I hope the past year has blessed you with great moments and memories and may the year ahead provide you with great happiness and opportunities!
It has been a year of great additions for Restoring Hope Transplant House. We have expanded our leadership core on the board of directors by welcoming three new members, have added to our staff and have worked very closely with an adviser who has a wealth of experience and connections having worked with other successful area non-profit projects. All work together with our accounting advisers. Leadership is one of our great strengths, I’m so grateful for all of you.
We have also seen tremendous progress in areas of construction and renovation planning this year with the help of so many of our supporters. The house has hosted several gatherings and meetings that have included local volunteer trades people and those in the construction industry that have already pledged amazing amounts of in-kind materials and labor. It has been a powerful experience to see dreams become transformed into what will soon be final drawings and floor plans after such a time consuming yet essential process.
It has been a year of great accomplishments for the UW Transplant Program as well and we are so grateful for their continued partnership, friendship and attention to detail as we continue to work together towards getting the doors open to serve the desperate transplant families that we hear from on a weekly basis. In the past year we have met amazing families that have made heartfelt contributions of all kinds in memory of a loved one. Their stories and experiences are our motivation; we want these doors opened more than anything to honor them and their families. Together, we can achieve these goals; the finish line is in sight.
The house remains closed to overnight guests until final renovations, but her spirit marches on by hosting regular transplant support group meetings, gatherings and events. We are also very excited to open the doors for a special holiday dinner on December 25th for visiting bone marrow and organ transplant families that are staying in our area and are away from home and loved ones over the holidays.
On a personal note, 2011 also blessed us with a healthy grandchild for the first time this past October – to share the joy of new beginnings with Griffin has been the most precious gift of all.
Happy Holidays!
Cindy Herbst
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Restoring Hope Transplant House
(608) 831-1726
www.restoringhope.org