Temple Hospitality House Working to Open Soon

An organization in Central Texas is putting the finishing touches on a communal residence that will house transplant patients and their families during recovery.

According to a report from KCEN-TV, a project by Trio Central Texas, dubbed Amy's House, is almost completed.

Amy's House will serve as a home to transplant patients and their families while they recover. John and Margaret Henderson connected with Trio Central Texas and have been working together for years to construct the home.

The Henderson's lost their daughter Amy unexpectedly in 2012, and have been working on the transplant home in her honor. Amy was an organ donor, and her contributions have helped the lives of approximately 70 people.

Amy's mother tells KCEN her daughter would be glad to see a place like Amy's House serving people in need.  "[S]he would know that her legacy of helping people is being carried forward, and that's important to us," she said.

The home at 2114 S 15th St. in Temple has a large living area, dining area, and kitchen as well as office space, a conference room, a multi-purpose room, laundry facilities, and storage areas. Amy's House was expected to be opened this past summer, but with the pandemic on-going, there has not been a new grand opening date selected.

Amy's House certainly seems in keeping with Amy Firth's passion for helping people. After graduating from UT San Antonio and Baylor, the Copperas Cove native worked as a speech therapist in public schools and at private companies. Many of her patients were autistic. Amy and her husband, Michael, had a son and daughter, and Amy was a huge supporter of their academics and athletics. She seems to have been a wonderful person.

If you'd like to help the staff at Amy's House make the place a comfortable and inviting place for patients, they have gift registries with Bed Bath & Beyond and Target, and they have an Amazon Smile initiative you can contribute to when you do your regular Amazon shopping.

You can also make a monetary donation on their website if you'd like to help them with their mission of providing affordable housing for transplant patients and their families as they recover and begin their life anew.