Gary's House Hosts Families And Functions
On February 12th, Gary’s House held its 4th annual Dine Around The World Food and Wine Tasting Extravaganza at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. The event featured food and drinks from some of the area’s top restaurants and bars, as well as gifts donated by local businesses for the silent auction.
The fundraiser is one of the most acclaimed in Portland, drawing over 400 people annually, and helps raise money to house the families of those receiving medical treatment at Mercy Hospital or the Maine Medical Center.
While undergoing treatment for cancer in Boston at the age of eighteen, Maine native Gary Pike saw the financial burden his family faced while trying to stay by his side throughout his two and a half year illness. As the teenager’s time in the hospital prolonged, his parents often slept in their car or on the hospital room floor to offset their mounting hotel bills. The battle with cancer would eventually cost Gary his life, but it would be his final wish to see that unlike his parents, Mainers had no such provisions.
In 1998, after seven years of fundraising and donations, Gary’s dream came true, as Gary’s House opened their doors on State Street in Portland. Today, the home offers nine bedrooms, six common rooms, and a place for Mainers to stay while a family member is being treated in either of the nearby hospitals. The cost to stay at Gary’s House is $15 per night, a mere nominal fee for keeping a family together at a most important time, and considerably less than what Gary Pike’s parents once faced.
As a business that sees firsthand the effects an extended hospital stay can have on both a patient and his or her family, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein is proud to support Gary’s House and the wonderful service it provides.
Nearly twenty years ago a teenager from Kennebunk wanted Maine families to be able to remain by the sides of loved ones in hospitals without being financially burdened. Today, thanks to his vision and the hard work of his parents and the numerous employees, volunteers, and supporters of Gary’s House, Gary Pike’s dream is a reality. A reality we look forward to supporting at next year’s 5th annual Dine Around The World Food and Wine Tasting Extravaganza.
For more information on Gary’s House or to schedule a stay, please call (207) 773-9800 or visit them online at: http://www.mercyhospital.com/content/garyshouse.htm.
