SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals

Save the Date: Tar Heels for SECU Family House BBQ and Golf Tournament April 26-27

Yvonne — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:55:40 +0000

On Thursday and Friday, April 26th and April 27th, 2012, the Tar Heels for SECU Family House BBQ and GolfTournament hosted by Coach Roy Williams and new Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham will take place at SECU Family House and UNC Finley Golf Course. All proceeds from the tournament benefit SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals, a hospitality house providing comfortable, convenient, and affordable housing and support services for patients undergoing treatment for critical illness or trauma.

We are excited to have Coach Williams and Bubba Cunningham’s support to SECU Family House. Coach Williams and the basketball team have been annual donors to Family House.

Having recently moved to Chapel Hill the new Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham was honored to be a part of co-hosting this event. We are fortunate to have this dynamic duo.

Invited and registered guests will gather for a tailgate barbeque ($75 per person) on the grounds of SECU Family House the night before the tournament. There will be a short program, live music, a raffle and auction of thoughtfully selected gifts, featuring sports memorabilia.

An invitation to attend the BBQ and play golf will follow. Golf foursomes fill up quickly, so we encourage you to register now by calling (919) 932-8001 or registering online at www.secufamilyhouse.org.

George and Trudy Hall, Family House Guests

Yvonne — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:39:43 +0000

During their nine-week stay at Family House while their son recovered from a bone marrow transplant, George and Trudy Hall, 82 and 81, of Bethel Park, Pa. had many reasons to celebrate: their discovery of Southern cooking; their 59th wedding anniversary; and, primarily, Ken’s successful bone marrow transplant.

George and Trudy’s son, Ken Hall, 55, of Plainville, Ga., received a bone marrow transplant at UNC Hospitals in early August. Since the transplant, George and Trudy have stayed with Ken when his wife, Susan, could not be here.

After Ken’s leukemia diagnosis last spring, doctors recommended a bone marrow transplant. Ken’s sister was a 10 out of 11 match and agreed to be the donor. As of Oct. 5th, the transplanted bone marrow had assimilated by 98 percent, meaning it had almost fully integrated into Ken’s body.

Because of reduced immunity following the transplant, Ken has to be careful to avoid infection. Ken has to wear a surgical mask and avoid getting cuts or scrapes because of the increased risk for infection. Ken is not even allowed to shave with a bladed razor.

Though Ken is on a long road to recovery, George and Trudy said they are happy to be with their son. Because of the distance between Pennsylvania and Georgia, Trudy said she and George do not get to see Ken as often as they would like. “It gave us a real visit,” she said.

George and Trudy also said they could not be happier with their stay at Family House. George described the house as being comforting. “It’s sort of an aura,” he said.

Trudy added, “It’s more than that.”

George and Trudy said one of the best aspects of the house is the sense of community. “To have a group around you that is essentially sharing your plight—it’s been good,” George said.

Not only did the staff and guests at Family House share in George and Trudy’s struggles, they also shared in their joys. George and Trudy met on a blind date in January of 1951 and were married in October of 1952. The couple celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary while staying at the house. Staff provided the cake and candles.

In addition to the staff and other guests, George and Trudy said the physical surroundings of Family House add to the sense of community. They said their favorite room is the kitchen because of the relaxed, social atmosphere. “You make friends,” Trudy said.

The kitchen is also where the couple discovered their new-found love for Southern cooking. George and Trudy said they enjoyed Carolina BBQ and sweet potato dishes the most. They purchased several North Carolina cookbooks to take home to Pennsylvania.

Ken has recovered enough to return to Georgia, so the family’s stay at the house is coming to a close. George and Trudy said leaving the house will be bittersweet. Despite the difficulties of their son’s illness, George and Trudy said their experience with Family House was a positive one. “The surroundings have made the circumstances more than bearable,” George said. Trudy agreed. “It is a home away from home,” she said.

With his trademark grin, George said he hoped he would never see the Family House staff again. But, he did say he would miss us. It has been our great fortune to get to know these wonderful, kind people.

House Party Photos

Yvonne — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:32:06 +0000

Dig Your Toes in the Sand on Atlantic Beach, NC

Yvonne — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:35:25 +0000

Wow! A Monday to Sunday stay at this 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath condo at Dunescape Villas on the beach. Kick back and take a few days to just do nothing because you’ll have plenty of play days available, too! The donors have included a $100 gift certificate to Beaufort Grocery for dinner, and they are also including linens and cleaning fees in this package.

Value: $950

Date Restrictions: Available through May 20, 2012; Not currently available during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter

Donated by Edward and Margaret Holmes

Right Around the Corner at the Inn

Yvonne — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:04:40 +0000

This overnight stay is the prize for the top casino winner at the 2011 House Party.

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy this one night’s stay in a room with distinct design and character. Rooms feature antiques, luxurious fabrics, original Southern artwork, fresh flowers and other amenities. The Inn is surrounded by boutique shops, gourmet restaurants, a spa and stunning gardens. On the night of your stay, enjoy a four-course dinner for two plus amuse bouche and petit fours, and hand-made chocolate truffles

Donated by Keith and Dana Pearsall

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Yvonne — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:57:42 +0000

A great, long weekend trip to New York City, December 1^st to December 4^th, 2011: the perfect way to begin your Christmas shopping, see the city in its holiday splendor and perhaps ice skate at Rockefeller Center.

This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom NYC Condo is located on Fifth Avenue, in the Historic Flatiron District in a Landmark Architectural Building built in 1906. The Grand Madison still overlooks Madison Square Park with its period sculpture, landscaped gardens, and strolling paths. To the south is the crossing of Fifth Avenue and Broadway with the world famous Flatiron set between. Across the park is the view of the statuesque Metropolitan Life Building, neighbor to the Grand Madison since 1909. Now, as then, the refinement and opulence of uptown architecture is the crown of downtown ease and vibrancy. The views are timeless.

The condominium has 10 foot beamed ceilings, huge windows, open design kitchen with Poggenpohl cabinets, and Viking appliances. Luxurious limestone bathrooms with soaking tubs will welcome the tired feet of any New York City visitor. The Grand Madison is a full service building with 24 hour Doorman and Concierge, Video intercom, Free Health club with 3 flat screen TV’s, and valet service.

Next door is the the beautifully landscaped Madison Square Park with a children’s playground and the well known Shake Shack concession stand. The area now has an entire traffic free area around the Park and it is wonderful to stroll around the neighborhoods at any time of the year.

Value: $2,200

Donated by Keith Sorgeloos and Darby Todd

Adventure Week at Wintergreen Resort

Yvonne — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:42:11 +0000

Get your friends and family together for a week-long trip to Wintergreen, Virginia, and stay at this six bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom home with four wood burning fireplaces. Wintergreen is beautiful in all seasons and the views from the house are spectacular. You can enjoy hiking along the Appalachian trail, soaking up the benefits of wonderful spa treatments, and demonstrating your prowess and finesse at the beautiful tennis facility or on two golf courses.

Value: $459-$685/night

Date Restrictions: Available mid-March through October 1^st, 2012.

Donated by Richard and Susan Beatty

Rejuvenating Getaway to Big Sky, Montana

Yvonne — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:26:35 +0000

This one week getaway to beautiful Big Sky, Montana, will make you feel like you have been rejuvenated. The cabin is wonderful (accommodates up to 4 adults and 2 children comfortably), the views are breathtaking and the wildlife is amazing. See for yourself what the skiing at Moonlight Basin is like. Close by is the Big Sky Resort for dining and spa treatments. If you are a skier and an outdoors person you can’t pass this one up.

Value: $2,800 per week in summer; $4,200 per week in winter

Date Restrictions: Available December 27th through January 15th; NOT available the weeks of January 16th and February 20th

Donated by Dave and Sue Anna/The RESOLUTE Building Company

All photos courtesy of Dave and Sue Anna

Caribbean Escape to Divi Resorts, St. Maarten

Yvonne — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:57:17 +0000

Enjoy one week of beachside bliss with your whole family or just your sweetheart in a one bedroom luxury suite on this Caribbean escape to Divi Little Bay Beach Resort in St. Maarten. You will be within easy reach of the shops, restaurants, and casinos of Philipsburg, but you may not want to leave the Resort with all there is to do—swim in one of the three the pools, relax at the full service spa, claim victory at the tennis courts, or explore your inner dolphin at the water sports center. In between activities, recharge at one of three Resort restaurants or pick up a snack at the guest grocery.

Value: $1,994

Donated by EJ and Martha Schanfarber

All photos courtesy of Divi Resorts

Luxury, All-Inclusive Cruise for 2 to British Isles

Yvonne — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:05:26 +0000

A trip of a lifetime will be offered to the highest bidder on September 23rd. This is a golfer’s dream but you don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy it because the tours are fabulous as well! Scroll down for more photos of this trip or click this link to be redirected to the Kalos Golf web site for more details.

Kalos Golf has designed the ultimate golf trip to the British Isles. Four of the five courses on the itinerary are ranked among the top 25 courses in the world. You will be traveling comfortably and conveniently to each of these courses aboard Clipper Odyssey, privately chartered for this cruise.

You will not need to lug your golf clubs to and from each course, labor to find a good restaurant each evening or unpack your luggage after a long drive. Clipper Odyssey will position you within easy reach of the world’s best golf courses. And you can count on the Kalos Golf advance team to have your clubs ready for your arrival, with caddies on standby. After a day of golf, you’ll enjoy complimentary drinks in the lounge and plenty of menu choices in the dining room one deck below.

Touring passengers can look forward to excursions led by expert guides who take you through picturesque towns, such as Dornoch and St Andrews, along the route. You’ll explore Scotland’s storied castles and gardens and discover the vast cultural and historical riches of this island nation.

World-class golf, intimate private tours, great food and wine and convenient travel aboard first-class vessels are the hallmarks of Kalos Golf. So too is travel that is free from complications and surprises, which is why they offer all-inclusive pricing. Cocktails aboard Clipper Odyssey and gratuities for crew members and guides are all included. Caddie fees are the only out-of-pocket expense. There are no hidden charges or extra fees.

Date Restriction: The trip is scheduled for August 7th to 15th, 2012.

Value: $13,520; Starting Bid: $6,000

Donated by Jim and Karen Lamont

SECU Family House has an exciting opportunity for you. If you are unable to attend the House Party, we would like to make bidding available to you for this trip.

Here’s how it will work:

1) You will be able to submit your silent bid via email by Sept 21st.

2) Bids will be kept in sealed envelope until bidding has ended for attendees.

3) There will be one more chance for the bidders in attendance to make a bid. If you wish to have a proxy there to continue a bid, we can arrange that as well.

All photos courtesy of Kalos Golf