Rosenbaum Family House is throwing its 25th anniversary celebration “Bluegrass in the Backwoods” on Thursday, June 27, at Forks of Cheat Winery. The event will last from 5-9 p.m.
Apart from the 25th anniversary, Rosenbaum Family House will also be celebrating 10 years of expanding its services with its current building on the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital campus. Before moving into its current location, the WVU Medicine affiliated organization provided about 30 rooms. By 2014, Rosenbaum Family House provided 29 guest rooms and 11 apartments.
The Hillbilly Biscuits and the Shoats are among the bluegrass musicians performing at the celebration. Vendors and activities will include food from Keystone ‘Cue, a silent auction and a variety of games.
According to Elizabeth Kanosky, public relations specialist and house coordinator at Rosenbaum Family House, bluegrass was the choice of music for the celebration because it captures the spirit of West Virginia so well.
“Bluegrass music is deeply rooted in Appalachian and West Virginian culture,” she said. “We also wanted it to be a more relaxed and inviting event where guests can leave their heels at home and celebrate our home away from home.”
Rosenbaum Family House was founded in 1999 by Hilda Rosenbaum, mom of two children who eventually died from cystic fibrosis. For Rosenbaum, the organization was a way for her to make a difference for families that were going through similar medical crises.
The organization has been providing support for families of patients being treated in WVU Medicine’s Morgantown location — especially those that live 50 miles away from the city. Among the services the organization provides are transportation to and from the hospital and meals during their stay. “The aim is to create a supportive environment where families can stay close to their loved ones receiving medical treatment,” Kanosky explained.
Over the past quarter-century, the services provided by Rosenbaum Family House have been in high demand from families of patients being treated at WVU Medicine’s Morgantown location. “We have housed more than 22,000 patients and their families in the past 25 years,” said Kanosky. “In 2024 alone, we have served over 6,000 meals already.”
Rosenbaum Family House has raised donations from charitable events.
“In 2023, we had the largest attendance of runners for our Run Santa Run 5K with over 300 runners raising $14,000,” Kanosky explained. “We also saw our most successful WVU Day of Giving by raising $18,500.”
When examining the overall impact that Rosenbaum Family House has had over the years, Kanosky believes the most-profound impact is on the well-being of everyone involved.
“Our mission is to exemplify the power of love, the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of family,” said Kanosky. “This is made possible through the generosity and support of individuals, businesses and many volunteer and community organizations.”
Rosenbaum Family House is at 30 Family House Drive in Morgantown. To purchase tickets for Thursday’s event, go to give.wvu.edu/RFHBluegrass
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