Grab your favorite caffeinated morning beverage and join two pajama-clad local celebs for a fun morning all for a good cause on Thursday, April 29 when Mercury News columnist Sal Pizzaro and broadcast personality Lissa Kreisler host a virtual “Celebration of Hope” breakfast fundraising tour of the JW House from 8 – 8:30 a.m.
Normally, the nonprofit hosts its annual in-person breakfast fundraiser but this year due to the pandemic, they had to get creative. That’s why the public is invited to come for coffee with Pizzaro and Kreisler, in addition to other special guests including Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Sharkie from the San Jose Sharks. During the virtual tour, guests will explore various rooms, learn more about this amazing organization now in its 13th year and even meet one family who explains how JW House has been a lifesaver for their family.
Located on the campus of Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara but free to anyone in need of respite services, JW House is a home away from home for families facing medical crises. The non-profit provides overnight lodging, day use services, meals and support to any family in the Bay Area with loved ones in Silicon Valley hospitals.
The organizations’ main goal is to take care of the caregiver — whether that is a home-cooked meal, a hot shower, a good night’s sleep in a bedroom with fresh sheets or accessing a quiet home office — so that they can return to the hospital feeling more relaxed. Guests can stay for as little or long as they need, and their stay is 100% free.
While it’s free for people to stay, it’s certainly not free for the non-profit to run the program and offer respite to thousands of families with loved ones in local hospitals each year. The goal of the complementary virtual tour is to raise $100,000.
“We want to keep this home open for the families we serve. You could be one of these families someday,” said host Kreisler.
In light of COVID-19, JW House has become more important now than ever, especially due to strict hospital visitor protocols. Most hospitals allow only one parent or guardian to stay with the child and siblings aren’t allowed to visit. For some, that means waiting for hours in their car while a family member undergoes surgery or other complicated medical treatments.
“There’s an inherent problem in our healthcare system,” said JW House executive director Richard Ajluni. “Healthcare providers take care of the patient, but nobody’s cued up to care for the families, the parents, or the spouse of the sick person. That’s where we jump in.”
Your donations will help JW House to continue this important service. Don’t miss this special content that sheds light on the magic of their mission. You’ll be entertained and reminded of the impact your support will have on families facing medical crises every day.
To RSVP for the free Virtual Celebration, visit https://jwhouse.org/coh2021/