In preparation for the 2008 Holiday season, DRMS staff were throwing around ideas for the usual festivities and events, and as discussions and plans were made, there was a real sense of longing among staff to make more out of the moment! So, we opted for a different type of Christmas around here this year and we all agree, it was the best Christmas present we could have given to each other. We agreed to find a way to give back to the community in lieu of giving to each other for Christmas, in the true spirit of what Christmas is all about anyway.

We chose to adopt a bedroom and bathroom combo at Hope House of Hospitality! Hope House sits on a beautiful corner lot on Northside Drive in Jackson. It is a home-away-from-home for those that are Mississippi’s seriously ill outpatients (80% cancer patients). They are a Christian ministry that provides short-term free lodging, meals, and transportation to seriously ill outpatients who live outside the Greater Jackson Metro Area referred by local Jackson hospital social services. Hope House is a non-profit organization that solely depends on donations, contributions, and the kindness of volunteers. After several years in downtown Jackson, Hope House opened the doors to its new facility at 786 East Northside Drive in July 2007 and was able to house 8 people. However, due to the blessings of donors, and the selling of the old property, they were able to complete the addition of an amazing new 8,000 square foot boarding house type area that will allow them to take on an additional 22 guests in need. They were able to complete the actual building process debt free, but they were not going to have the funds to furnish the interior and all of the bedrooms and bathrooms. So, with the leadership of Hope House board members directed by board president, Charlie Kenny, Wanda Pitts, Director of Ministry and Mia Martin, Assistant Director of Ministry, they decided to reach out to the community with their “Adopt-A-Room” project. Each will be quick to tell you, they didn’t have to reach out much, for people just seemed to have been drawn to Hope House with compelling stories of how they felt led to help.

DRMS decided to take on this project for several different reasons. Primarily, it was a way to have an impact on our own community, but in a way that was different from our day to day duties throughout the state. And additionally, it was a sustaining gift. The room we furnished and decorated will be there to give for years to come and will help many people as they come through the doors in need of respite and a quiet place to heal. We have gotten to know the loving staff at Hope House and know that this will be a project that we will be a part of for years to come. We thank Wanda and Mia for all that they do to assist those in great need.

Please enjoy viewing some of the pictures of the outcome of our room and bathroom at Hope House. We are very pleased with it! And if you would like more information on how to volunteer or just reach out to meet a need that they may have, feel free to contact Wanda or Mia at hopehouse786@bellsouth.net or call them at (601) 981-1260.