EARLY DONOR SUPPORT HELPS ADVANCE HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF THE BLUE RIDGE
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Brian Wells | Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge
540-853-8201 | BWells@HotelRoanoke.com
Early Donor Support Helps Advance Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge
Initiative Expands Affordable Lodging for FamiliesTraveling to Region for Care
ROANOKE, VA. (May 13, 2026) — Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge (HHBR), a Roanoke-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to provide affordable, home-like lodging for adult hospital patients and their loved ones, announced today that a donation from Carilion Clinic is helping move the HHBR’s vision forward, strengthening a community solution designed tor educe one of healthcare’s most common non-medical barriers: a safe place to stay near treatment.
Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge is establishing a 25-room Hospitality House intended to serve adult patients and family caregivers who travel to Roanoke for critical medical care from any of the area’s medical providers.
“Too many families are forced into impossible choices when a loved one is hospitalized, paying for a hotel for days or weeks, sleeping in waiting rooms, or even sleeping in their car,” said Brian Wells, Board Chair, Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge.“This early support is more than a gift, it’s a powerful signal that keeping families close to care is part of supporting healing. It validates what families already know: stable lodging reduces stress, helps caregivers stay present, and allows patients to focus on recovery.”
“Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge will fill an important need for those seeking care in our region,” said Mike Abbott, President of Carilion Medical Center. “We are excited to see their progress as it moves from vision to reality. This initiative reflects the kind of community-driven solution that makes a real difference for patients and families navigating complex care journeys.”
Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge is being developed using lessons from hospitality house models across the U.S., where nonprofit lodging programs help families who must travel long distances for life-sustaining care. The goal is to create a welcoming, secure, and supportive “home away from home” for guests navigating medical crises—helping reduce both financial strain and emotional exhaustion.
HHBR’s long-term sustainability plan is built around a sliding-scale guest fee model, paired with community sponsorships and a planned endowment, reflecting approaches used by established hospitality house organizations nationwide.
Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge is inviting additional donors, including local healthcare providers, corporations, foundations, and individuals, to help complete this “once-in-a-generation” resource for families traveling to Roanoke from across Southwest Virginia and neighboring areas.
“Healthcare is an economic cornerstone in our region, but for families, the experience can be overwhelming when care requires sudden travel and prolonged stays,” Wells added. “Hospitality House is a practical answer: it keeps families close, reduces hardship, and strengthens the support system around the patient. We’re grateful for Carilion’s early support and we’re inviting the broader community to help bring this vision fully to life.”
To learn more or support the project, visit hospitalityhousebr.org or contactinfo@hospitalityhousebr.org.
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ABOUT HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF THE BLUE RIDGE
Hospitality House of the Blue Ridge is a Roanoke-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to provide affordable, nonprofit lodging and supportive common spaces for adult hospital patients and their families/caregivers traveling to the Roanoke region for medical treatment.
