MLK Day of Service 1/20/2020

Did you know that the 3rd Monday in January, the observed birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is the only U.S. holiday that is also designated as a national day of service? If you have the day off from work or school, consider ways to give back to our community: volunteer, donate, or simply make a point of being kind to those around you. It’s easy to make a difference, and the circle of caring will continue to go around. Here are just a few ideas of ways to honor Dr. King and celebrate his contributions:

* Volunteer at a local nonprofit. (Family House is a great choice!)  Also look at resources like Volunteer Match or Hands on Bay Area

* Make a monetary donation. Every nonprofit requires money for overhead, and your donation ensures that no family will ever be turned away from Family House 

* Organize a drive for those less fortunate in your community - food, toys, and items like socks or toothbrushes for homeless shelters

* Random acts of kindness: buy someone a cup of coffee, let someone go ahead of you in the supermarket line, or compliment a stranger. Remember that there are lots of people with hidden struggles, and simply being kind can make a huge difference in someone’s day.

Family Breakfast

Every morning, Family House staff and volunteers prepare a healthy breakfast for families to enjoy together or take on their way home or to the hospital. Thank you to the donors who help make this happen! Special thanks to: Peerless Coffee and Tea, who have been supporting Family House since our old Inner Sunset days; The Fruitguys, who provide fresh fruit for every day of the year; Starbucks on 3rd Street for donating all kinds of tasty pastries (breakfast dessert, anyone?); and Neighbor Bakehouse on 3rd Street for donating amazing sweet and savory pastries. Combined with hot and cold cereal, yogurt, and juice options, we strive to make sure every family starts their day off right. Thank you to all who make it happen!

Holiday Party!

Ho Ho Happy Holidays! Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Family House holiday party - so much merriment! Volunteer chefs took over 2 kitchens - one with traditional American Christmas dishes, like ham and roasted veggies (thank you, Brasch family and friends!) - and the other with Mexican favorites, including tamales - yum (thank you, Gina Gorman and staff from The Madrone and GB Group)! There were appetizers and so many homemade desserts by the Family House Family Services committee and Family House board members, and entertainment by DJ Raul and the amazing Magic Mike and Magic Genii (who were truly magical!), plus folks in festive character costumes (thank you Bobby Thomas and friends - Nick, Jason, Kamron, Tom, Ted, Matt, David F., Kim, David L., Spencer, DeAnne, Janelle, Natalia, Bernadette, John, and Anthony). Thank you to our annual Christmas elves including Alyson and James and the Wong family, everyone who volunteered, donated toys and holiday stockings, and contributed to Family House magic at the holidays!

Check out photos from the party, and see the photos with Santa!

Holiday Giving at Family House

Holiday Giving at Family House
Family House is a home away from home for families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. When families travel to San Francisco for their child’s medical treatment, Family House becomes their community and extended family. Being away from home can be especially difficult during the holidays, but you can help make the holidays bright for a family in need.

Donate Toys, Teen Gifts & Gift Cards

* Toys for children of all ages, such as: Books, puzzles, stuffed animals, board games, arts & crafts kits, remote control toys, STEM toys

* Electronic toys that are rechargeable or don’t require batteries

* Teen gifts such as: MP3 players, headphones, SD cards, makeup and nail kits, sports related items, adult coloring books, Playstation 4 games, DVDs

* $25 gift cards to Target and Safeway to be used by families for holiday gifts and essentials

* Toys and gifts should value from $25-$50 each

* View our wish list on Amazon Smile

* Send donations to "Santa" at Family House, 540 Mission Bay Blvd., North, San Francisco, CA 94158

* Questions? Please contact Anoushka Donnelley at (415) 502-5640

* Click here to download the Secret Santa info sheet

Give Financially

* All services at Family House are 100% free of charge to all families

* Families stay for as long as their child is receiving medical treatment

* Monetary donations provide direct family support through our meal program, support groups, music therapy program, Fozzy’s Toy Room, and in many more ways

* Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to Family House

Family House Families are Real Superheroes

For Halloween, lots of kids like to dress up as their favorite superhero, but we’d like to acknowledge how the children at Family House are year-round superheroes. The patients here often endure terrible treatments in order to save their lives - and usually, they are the bravest people in the room! Even when they aren’t feeling well, the children at Family House are kids first: they want to play, they want to cuddle, and they want to be normal kids. Sometimes they even put on a brave face so their parents won’t worry. 

Their siblings, whether at Family House or back at home, are equally strong and deserve their own recognition. It’s hard to be concerned for the health and happiness of a brother or a sister who is going through treatments; it’s hard to have parents who are worried and stressed; it’s hard when the whole family can’t be together. Even for a child who is well, having a sick sibling can have negative physical and emotional consequences, and we want to acknowledge them for their strength, patience, and compassion.

And let’s not forget the parents, who go above and beyond for their children, often putting their own wellness aside. We love you, SuperMoms and SuperDads, and applaud you for all you do!

This Halloween, when you see superheroes out trick or treating - remember that we have some of the most amazing superheroes right here at Family House - every day.

It’s Halloween!

It’s Halloween!
By Elan Slavin, MSW

It’s Halloween! It’s Halloween!
The moon is full and bright
And we shall see what can’t be seen
On any other night

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.


A chill is finally in the air.  Costumes are being made and sold and Halloween candy seems to be everywhere we look tempting us and our kids.  If you are a parent, you may be trying to think of ways for your child to celebrate Halloween in a safe, healthy way; especially if you are a parent of a child with an illness. Here are a few things to consider as you and your kiddos look forward to Halloween:

If your child is in the hospital during Halloween, ask the healthcare team if there is a celebration planned.  Oftentimes pediatric centers will host trick-or-treating or have costume parties for patients. It may also be fun to decorate your child’s room with Halloween decorations. If your child would like to wear a costume, you may want to make sure it’s comfortable and that the medical team has given the ok!

There are also some fun activities you can do at home if your child is unable to go trick-or-treating.

• “Camp out” in your family room! Set up sleeping bags, have some yummy snacks and tell a ghost story or two
• Turn on a scary movie (well, not too scary) and make a fort to snuggle up in!
• Carve a pumpkin (or paint one) with silly faces
• Bake a few Halloween themed treats!
• Have a MONSTER MASH Halloween Dance Party! Turn up the music, put on your costume, and rock out to your favorite tunes! 

If your child is able to trick-or-treat and you don’t want them to eat every single piece of candy, you can:

• Have your child choose their favorite 10 pieces of candy, then donate the rest! (Maybe to your local VA or to women and men overseas who would really appreciate it.)
• Bake cookies using chopped up candy bars instead of chocolate chips and share them with your neighbor.
• “Buy” each piece of candy from your kids for 10 cents each.  Let them use the money to buy a new book or small toy or decide as a family where to donate the funds. 

Most importantly, have fun, be safe, and celebrate the season!

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities at Family House

Fall has only just begun, but holiday planning is already underway at Family House!
Every day of the week, volunteers and staff serve a healthy Family Breakfast to all of our residents, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. Most weeknights, volunteer groups cook or bring in a beautiful Family Dinner to be shared by all Family House guests. Both are satisfying ways to fulfill a practical need (food) while providing emotional support and love to families during a difficult time. Check out the Family House Family Meal Calendar for more details and to sign up for a shift.

We know that the dates through the end of the year are filling up fast, so consider alternate activities at Family House, like a midday meal or family activity, such as arts and crafts or board games. Contact us with your desired date & time and your idea for an activity!

If you don’t live near Mission Bay, but would still like to support Family House families during the holidays, consider doing a collection drive. We have an Amazon Wishlist with items that our families need. We also give out gift cards to families - gas cards, Safeway grocery cards, and gift cards to Target are extremely useful. See all of the wishlists at familyhouseinc.org/amazonsmile

To make a financial gift in support of Family House families, please visit give.familyhouseinc.org. It costs $150 per night to house a family here, and all stays are 100% cost-free to all families, thanks to the generosity of donors.

Thank you for helping to make Family House a home away from home, especially for those who will be in San Francisco and away from their extended families this holiday season.

Halloween Costumes Needed

Halloween Costumes Needed

The spookiest holiday of the year is almost upon us, and we need child and adult costumes for Halloween trick or treating at Family House. Please check out our wishlist for ideas, and send new or gently-used costumes to Family House Halloween at 540 Mission Bay Blvd., North, San Francisco, CA 94158. Thank you!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Go gold this September in support of kids battling childhood cancer! In the United States, more than 15,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer each year. The most complicated cases are referred to major children’s hospitals like the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, which means that families are often far from home for extended periods of time while their child receives treatment.

Family House provides a home away from home for these families, and becomes a center of community and family for those who are away from their usual support networks. Every family has a clean, comfortable bedroom with a private bathroom, and shares a communal kitchen, living, and dining spaces. Staff and volunteers host breakfast every morning, and volunteer groups regularly host dinners for all Family House guests. We help fill hours outside of the hospital with fun activities like therapy dog visits, arts and crafts, music therapy, movie nights, and playtime on our 9,000 square foot courtyard.

Only those who have a critically-ill child can really understand what it’s like - there are stresses beyond stresses: doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, uncertainty about your child’s health and future; medical copays, travel expenses, lost wages; supporting siblings, and self-care. The families at Family House “get it,” and support each other through good times and bad. It’s one of the most important aspects of our mission - community care.

Every family stays for free at Family House for as long as they need; but it is not without cost. It costs Family House $150 per night for a family to stay with us; we are entirely supported through private donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Make a difference for a family going through the most difficult time of their lives: give a gift now.

Rockstar Volunteer: Mari Goldstein

Mari Goldstein brings incredible energy to Family House each time she visits.  She leads weekly yoga classes for the families that stay at Family House and understands the importance of physical, mental, and spiritual exercise.  We are lucky to have Mari share  her knowledge and expertise with our families.

As a yoga volunteer, Mari teaches classes for all interested family members that would like to participate. She even welcomes our younger children that want to experience her classes.

Mari has been a part of Family House since April 2018 and continues to make an incredible contribution to the organization.  Whenever Mari is present, she warmly greets families, staff members, and visitors.  We want to thank Mari and show our appreciation for her talents and all she brings to Family House.

Thank you Mari!

Home Depot Volunteer Day at Family House

Wow! A huge thank you to The Home Depot Foundation and the 80+ (!!!) employees who undertook a major project volunteering at Family House! We’ve been in the Nancy & Stephen Grand Family House for 3 years, and this is the first significant “home improvement” project yet - and who better to do it than the experts from Home Depot? Volunteers repainted the baseboards and accent walls throughout our 92,000 square foot building - a project that took more than a day! While that was happening, other volunteers beautified the courtyard and spruced up the container gardens throughout, with lots of fresh new flowers and plants; and yet others worked on a “picture frames” painting project that will be unveiled later this year. While all this hard work was happening, even more volunteers were hosting a terrific experience for our families - interactive building projects and a great barbecue on the courtyard.

Congratulations to Scott Rustigan, winner of Home Depot’s Angel Award for exceptional service in the community! We know how all you’ve done for Mason and his family has made all the difference in the world, and we’re glad you’re part of the family. Thank you to Amy Hollingshead for connecting your Home Depot family with your Family House family! #teamdepot #homeawayfromhome #family

Click here to see more photos from this wonderful day of service, and click here to watch the video!

Summer Carnival 2019

What a fun day! Thank you to everyone who made this year's Summer Carnival such a good time! Delicious homemade Mexican lunch from the team at GB Group and ice cream from Clover; entertainment by Boswick the Clown and magician The Amazing Caine; glitter tattoos by Anney Chan; Clo the Clover cow came to visit, as did Team Impact and service-dogs-in-training from Canine Companions for Independence; so many carnival games, prizes, and even stuffed animals made by the Hands On Bay Area teens in the HandsOnTomorrow program! Thank you to the incredible volunteers from Okta, the Family House Summer High School Volunteer program, The Madrone Residences & Madrone staff, with a special shout out to Gina Gorman - together, you brought so much joy and laughter to Family House families - we appreciate each of you!

Watch the fun video or see more photos on Facebook.

National Hospitality House Week 2019

Did you know that Family House is part of the Healthcare Hospitality Network, a group of facilities that provide temporary housing for families who have a person with a significant medical condition?  We are proud to celebrate National Hospitality House Week and toast our colleagues near and far for the support we are able to give to families during the most difficult time of their lives. Consider making a donation today to help support Family House as we support families of children with a life-threatening illness - over 4,000 families stay with us each year, 100% cost-free.

Make a gift today to help support families in the midst of a medical crisis.

Bobby Thomas Birthday Fundraiser for Family House

Happy Birthday to the incomparable Bobby Thomas! Bobby has been “The Bunny” during Easter time at Family House for over 20 years, bringing joy and smiles to all the families, all while raising funds for Family House. For his milestone birthday this year, he decided to throw a big bash at the Folsom Street Foundry, and raised over $10,000 in the process! It’s a testament to just how much people love Bobby! And who wouldn’t?! It’s his life’s mission to bring joy to others, and we have proof that he does that wherever he goes! Thank you, Bobby, for all you do for Family House and for everyone who is lucky to know you!

(If you know and love Bobby and want to donate to Family House in his honor, please click here.)

Monthly Birthday Parties

At Family House, we love birthdays! Whether you’re turning 3, 15, 40, or 70, birthdays are something to celebrate! Many Family House families are away from home for extended periods of time, and most acutely feel the sting of being far from home when special days come up. We do everything we can to make Family House a home away from home, and that most definitely includes celebrating holidays and milestones big and small!

In 2018, volunteers from Salesforce took on the task of hosting the Monthly Birthday Pizza Party. Once a month, there’s a big party in the house for everyone who has a birthday: patients, siblings, parents, grandparents - anyone staying with us! There are presents for the kids, and pizza and cupcakes for all! The support that Salesforce volunteers provide is tremendous, and we are grateful that they hosted this party each month all last year, and are continuing the tradition for all of 2019. Thank you, Salesforce, for the many ways you support Family House families year-round!

To learn about ways that you can make a difference at Family House, visit https://familyhouseinc.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/

K-PAX Racing Day at Family House

Thank you to the K-PAX Racing Team and Flexport for hosting a wonderful car show & party at Family House! Pro drivers Alvaro Parente, Andy Soucek, Rodrigo Baptista, and Maxime Soulet were in the house with a 2019 Bentley Continental GT3 race car and a street-ready Bentley, showing off the cars, signing autographs, and meeting Family House families. Volunteers from Flexport brought pizza and snacks, car-themed games, and arts and crafts, helped out with the bounce house, and more! Thank you to everyone for making it such an amazing experience - special thanks to Jim Haughey, Darren Law, Brendan Capria, Bentley Motors, Flexport, and the whole K-PAX Racing team! And congratulations to K-PAX on your wins this past weekend at the Blancplain GT World Challenge at Sonoma Raceway!

View more photos.

Watch the video.

Meet & Greet with Buster Posey

Thank you to the San Francisco Giants for the amazing opportunity for Family House families to meet Buster Posey and family, and enjoy the baseball game afterwards! This past Sunday, families got to spend time with Buster and the family, asking all kinds of questions about baseball from one of the best players in the MLB! We love how Kristen, Addison, and Lee get so involved in meeting families - and they even brought their pup to meet everyone, too! Thank you to the Poseys and the Giants for caring about Family House families and treating them to this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Family House Impact

Just released! Read the Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report - Family House Impact:

http://e.issuu.com/embed.html#31716150/70050357

Spider-Man and Spider Gwen Visit

Thank you to Spider-Man and Spider-Gwen from Heart of a Hero for spending a morning at Family House! You brought wagons full of toys for the kids and made lots of new friends! And thank you to the volunteers from Compass for helping to pass out toys, make Spidey-themed arts and crafts, and kick off a fun morning for everyone! Thank you to the volunteers for bringing such positive energy and joy to Family House, making everyone smile!!

Click here to see photos of the event.

National Volunteer Week 2019

To the amazing volunteers at Family House!

I want to take this moment to say thank you for all that you do for our families. With this week being National Volunteer Week, I want to reflect on how meaningful your service is, day in and day out. There are never enough hours in the day, but you, our volunteers, are able to donate your time and efforts to support families in crisis. Whether it's helping serve breakfast each morning; bringing your therapy dog for support; keeping the house disinfected; providing a beautiful family dinner; and everything in between, we absolutely could not provide the level of support that we do without our incredible volunteers.

Last year, we had over 4,200 volunteers support Family House (that is a staff-to-volunteer ratio of 1:140) and the impact is measured not just in numbers, but through the magic and love that is felt every day when you walk through the doors. We know there so many amazing nonprofits out there and you choose to help us. We are incredibly grateful for the love and support you bring to Family House. Thank you on behalf of Family House.

With Love and Appreciation,
Karen Banks