Pay-It-Forward House

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MARY LOU EUBANKS

Editor: Pay-It-Forward House is thriving and thankful! On Dec. 5, Joyce Mathey and I addressed the Sycamore City Council to give the council members an update on the Pay-It-Forward House. Just a year ago, the council approved a special-use permit for the residence at 719 Somonauk St. Since that time, the providing of a homelike setting for rest and respite for the families and friends of patients at Kindred Hospital has gone from a dream to solid reality. Thanks to awesome support by the communities of Sycamore and DeKalb and even beyond, the Pay-It-Forward House has now been open for a little more than eight months and is a thriving, busy home-away-from-home. In that short span of time, we have provided more than 700 nights of rest to people who live as far away as St. Louis and the Quad Cities as well as to others who live closer but do not drive or do not see well enough to drive at night. Sixty-three percent of our guests are from more than 150 miles away. In addition, the Pay-It-Forward House has welcomed day visitors who come in to take showers, do their laundry and just take a break from their loved ones' bedside. More than 80 community members are trained to greet visitors. They have donated more than 2,300 hours to extend hospitality to people who suddenly find themselves in our community. In addition, many people are helping the Pay-It-Forward House and its guests in other ways: baking cookies, working on beautifying the grounds, decorating for the holidays, showering us with paper products and designing and writing our newsletter. The list goes on and on. We have been amazed at the outpouring of support and generosity from individuals, service organizations, local foundations, church groups, Scout troops, school groups and businesses small and large. With the active help of the community, the Pay-It-Forward House is meeting the need that had been identified! The Kindred Hospital staff reports that family members appear more rested and less stressed and are better able to support their loved ones and interact effectively with the nursing staff. To &#8220pay it forward” is to do a good deed - not to pay back a favor, but to help others in their time of need. Thank you to everyone who has paid it forward and helped transform this idea into a reality! Plan commission member George Bridgewater spoke in favor of the concept a year ago, saying that it represents the type of community Sycamore is and Sycamore wants to be. He was so right, and we are so grateful! With sincere gratitude, MARY LOU EUBANKS Executive director Pay-It-Forward House