Fundraiser brightens holidays at Med Center’s Hospitality House
Published 2:34 pm Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Brandon Moulding, 7, shares his Christmas wishes with Santa during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Jimmy Parrish, 7, of Bowling Green decorates his gingerbread house with candy pieces alongside members of the Western Kentucky University men’s basketball team during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Santa Claus watches as Maggie Parrish, 6, of Bowling Green decorates her gingerbread house with candy pieces during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Members of First Baptist Church’s handbell choir perform Christmas jingles during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Attendees of the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas listen as members of the First Baptist Church handbell choir perform Christmas jingles on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Attendees of the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event at the Hospitality House count down as the facility lights up for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Attendees of the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas file into the facility on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Attendees of the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas file into the facility on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Mike Cowles, chairman of the Med Center Health Foundation, introduces Hospitality House director Carla Reagan to speak during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Brooke Schakat thanks donors of the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Members of First Baptist Church’s handbell choir perform Christmas jingles during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Attendees of the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas listen as members of the First Baptist Church handbell choir perform Christmas jingles on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Members of First Baptist Church’s handbell choir perform Christmas jingles during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Natcher DeVoursney, 2, of Bowling Green sits on Santa’s lap during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Western Kentucky graduate guard Jalen Jackson talks with Mya Brown, 9, as she decorates her gingerbread house with candy pieces during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Children decorate gingerbread house with candy pieces during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Cookies and hot cocoa are served to attendees of the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event at the Hospitality House to light up the facility for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Children decorate gingerbread house with candy pieces during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Western Kentucky graduate forward Tyrone Marshall Jr., redshirt senior forward Blaise Keita and senior guard Don McHenry join groups of children in building gingerbread houses during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Children decorate gingerbread house with candy pieces during the Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program event to light up the Hospitality House at 501 High Street for Christmas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, 2024. Serving as a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House, the event featured gingerbread houses, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus, Christmas jingles performed by the First Baptist Church handbell choir and the lighting of the facility, which functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Between the sweet smell of the hot cocoa and gingerbread cookies, the joyful din of the crowd milling about and the jolly sight of Santa Claus paying a visit to some kids, the holiday spirit running through Med Center Health’s Hospitality House Tuesday night was ample enough to power the lights strung around the roof of the building.
The house was the sight of Med Center Health Foundation’s Make the Season Bright Program, a kickoff to both the holiday season and the foundation’s fundraiser campaign to benefit the Hospitality House.
Between now and Jan. 5, people who want to become involved in the program can purchase a holiday light in honor, celebration or memory of someone special in their lives, with spending tiers available at $10, $25, $50 or $100.
Hospitality House director Carla Reagan has set a fundraising goal of $25,000 for what functions as a home away from home for patients and the families of people receiving care at The Medical Center in Bowling Green.
The house, which opened in 2011, features 13 guest rooms, providing lodging at no cost for an average of 6-7 days to more than 10,000 individual guests in that time.
“(Neonatal intensive care unit) moms want to stay close to their babies at the hospital and guests with cancer take radiation treatments here and have the opportunity to stay here at the house while they go through their treatment,” Reagan said.
Tuesday’s annual event featured refreshments from Donato’s Pizza and music from the First Baptist Church handbell choir, along with a lighting ceremony to dedicate this year’s lights decorating the house’s exterior.
Reagan said the event is a valuable way to let the public know about the Hospitality House and the services it offers.
“A lot of people don’t know what we are or what we do, who stays here and why, so it’s good to get an opportunity to share that,” Reagan said. “It’s good to show a little kindness to people in a tough situation.”
To purchase a light or learn more, visit LightUpTheSeason.org.
