During the week of November 18, UMSL’s Public Relations Student Society of America is hosting a Generosity Drive with HavenHouse St. Louis to collect toiletries on the Millennium Student Center Bridge.
HavenHouse St. Louis is a hospital guest house that provides comfortable lodgings and community support to patients and their families traveling more than 25 miles to receive medical care. HavenHouse is a low-cost lodging alternative for patients, families and caregivers and provides additional support like meal programs and transportation to and from hospitals.
“We serve all ages of patients and families across a spectrum of illnesses. No matter why you’re coming here for medical care or whatever hospital or medical facility you are going to, you are eligible to stay with us, given you are at least 25 miles or more from that hospital. Folks make a reservation and they can stay with us. We provide two meals a day, and then transportation to whatever medical facility they’re going to, given that they need it” says Paula Lowery, Executive Director of HavenHouse St. Louis.
HavenHouse is unique to other guest houses in the area, in that it accepts all ages and a variety of illnesses.
“Sometimes, this is an unknown mission until people need it the most. Until you’re faced with a medical crisis, people might not know that an entity like us exists, especially one that serves all patients. Adults are usually used to pediatric guest houses, or they’re used to hospital guest houses that only serve cancer patients. It’s important to know that is what differentiates us from other hospital guest houses in the city,” says Lowery.
The Generosity Drive is collecting items for HavenHouse St. Louis’ new location, which is anticipated to open mid-December later this year. The Generosity Drive is accepting various travel-size toiletries items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, mouthwash, and other personal care essentials. The Generosity Drive is also accepting cash or Venmo donations at their table on the Millenium Student Center Bridge.
“Oftentimes, our families come and it’s an emergent type of situation, so they come with nothing. So these little things, like toothbrushes and shampoos, are helpful when families are in a crisis and don’t know where to get those things” says Lowery.
PRSSA will have a table on the Millennium Student Center Bridge from Monday, November 18 through Thursday, November 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. Travel-size toiletry items will be accepted, as well as cash and Venmo donations.
For more information on HavenHouse St. Louis or to find out other ways to help, visit HavenHouse St. Louis’s website.
