Hospitality house can lodge large volunteer groups
BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WARFIELD — Christian Help is the new owner of a hospitality house in Warfield and will provide lodging to volunteer groups that travel to the Tug Valley area.
Rebecca Hooker, executive director of the nonprofit that was established 30 years ago to serve the low to no-income population in Mingo and Martin counties, had been actively searching for a suitable property. Christian Help required enough square footage to sleep groups of 20, kitchen space for seating up to 30 people, and outdoor space for hanging out. Available properties of that size are not plentiful in the area, so when Hooker heard about a house for sale in Warfield within the right size and price range, Christian Help made the purchase.
“We have missed opportunities in the past to be visited by church groups and organizations that travel and perform repairs to the homes of the elderly due to the lack of lodging that can accommodate more than just a few at a time,” Hooker explained. “It wasn’t just a lack of lodging that was a deterrent, but also the cost associated with renting rooms for everyone. With the addition of the Christian Help Warfield house, we no longer have that issue to contend with.”
The ranch-style brick structure at 31 Riverfront Road in Warfield is beside the Callaham Funeral Home. It is furnished with donated items and a few pieces of furniture that were purchased used.
Thanks to the carpentry skills and commitment of Ron Pinson, pastor of Kermit United Methodist Church, the structure has been transformed into a warm and welcoming place. It includes two family rooms and can accommodate 20-30 individuals, a kitchen with ample space to prepare food and floor space to accommodate several tables and chairs. Numerous bedrooms have bunk beds lining the walls to provide sleeping quarters for up to 25.
Volunteers staff the Warfield House, keeping it clean and the cupboards well-stocked and ready to welcome all who enter their door.
“Purchasing a place that will accommodate large groups has been a dream of Christian Help founders and staff for many years,” said Hooker. “We have been greatly blessed to see it become a reality.”
Christian Help provides emergency relief to people struggling with extreme poverty and provides all services at no cost to residents in Mingo and Martin counties.
“We provide services that help prevent disconnection of utilities, a food pantry, free clothing, shoes, household items and furniture when it is available,” said Hooker. “Without this assistance, I can only imagine what area families who find themselves in need would do.”
To sustain Christian Help’s mission, Hooker must look beyond the local area for donations. In a typical year, approximately 5% of the donations to the nonprofit come from local sources. The remainder comes from outside sources across the United States.
“As the loyal donors that have supported us since the early days of Christian Help grow older, it is vitally important that we have others step up and assume the role,” said Hooker. “Being able to bring groups from churches across the country to Mingo and Martin counties to let them see the needs of the people here who are struggling and understand the extent of their needs is the key to obtaining future donations. Not having a location to provide lodging and meals prevented this in the past, but we are so excited to know that is no longer the case.”
According to Hooker, Christian Help hopes to create a small home repair program in 2024 that would be dependent on groups of volunteers to perform the work. The new hospitality house brings the organization closer to that goal.
“We encourage anyone that can help fund our efforts to do so,” added Hooker. “For those who have helped in the past or continue to do so, we offer our thanks and appreciation. Without those donations, we could not do what we do.”
For more about Christian Help services or reserving the hospitality house, call 304-393-4251 or visit them at the corner of 100 Lincoln Street in Kermit.
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Photo of kitchen:
Christian Help’s new hospitality house in Warfield is ready to accommodate large groups of volunteers who visit the area. The brick ranch-style house at 31 Riverfront Road beside Callaham Funeral Home can also provide emergency shelter during disasters. Pastor Ron Pinson of the Kermit Methodist Church has been working to transform the property into a welcoming and inviting location for the last six weeks. (Citizen photo by Rachel Dove)
Christian Help’s hospitality house in Warfield has two large family rooms. (Citizen photo by Rachel Dove)
The Christian Help hospital house has sleeping quarters for up to 25. (Citizen photo by Rachel Dove)