What’s Going On?
The 2013 Taste of Hospitality Wine Event hosted on February 23 was a huge success for Friendship Inn!
Learn More
“THE ORNAMENT OF A HOUSE IS THE FRIENDS WHO FREQUENT IT”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Since opening in 2001, Friendship Inn of Kansas City has served hundreds of guests annually. Our mission is to be a “home away from home” for families of patients at the University of Kansas Hospital. Although not free, accommodations are affordable, and no family in need is turned away.
During this past year, Friendship Inn provided
814 nights of services for 319 people.
Friendship Inn was founded by Pam Gabel and Pam Lee, in part, to honor the memory of Chip Gabel, Pam Gabel’s husband, and Pam Lee’s parents, Joan and Jim Lee. Both women experienced traveling to hospitals far from home and having to navigate unfamiliar areas in cities where hospitality houses didn’t exist.
The need for a place like Friendship Inn became very apparent, and we’re thankful to have the opportunity to touch – and be “ornamented” with – so many wonderful people at a time of uncertainty and unease. That’s what true friendship is all about.
About Our Home.
Because our hospitality is bigger than our modest accommodations will sometimes allow, Friendship Inn offers priority reservations for those who live more than 30 miles away. Our home is comfortable and well appointed with four private bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, one full and two half baths, plus first-floor common areas, laundry facilities, computer, TV, phone, Internet access, and off-street parking.
This beautiful, turn-of-the-century home in Kansas City’s historic Hanover Heights is fully restored thanks to a grant from the Victor Speas Foundation. It is also conveniently located less than two blocks from the University of Kansas Hospital.
On-going support from generous donors allows us to continue to maintain and operate Friendship Inn, which has been a welcome, though temporary, haven for so many. Tell us how we can make you feel most at home.
Photo Gallery
Stay With Us.
Would you like to make a reservation? It’s easy. Contact us at (816) 506-6339 or email: info@friendshipinnkc.org.
Friendship Inn can accommodate from one person to nine or more, depending on availability. Priority lodging is given to those traveling from 30 miles or more away. We request a donation of $30 for first guest per night and $5 per night for each additional guest.
Contact us at (816) 506-6339 or email: info@friendshipinnkc.org.
Mention the number of people who require accommodations and the dates of your proposed stay. If more than one family is staying with us at the same time, the kitchen, common areas and bathrooms will be shared.
Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable. For nearby churches, restaurants and more, see our “Neighborhood” section.
Program Manager: Peggy Walls
Asst. Program Manager: Barb Thornton
What’s Going On
The 2013 Taste of Hospitality Wine Event hosted on February 23 was a huge success for Friendship Inn!
Thank you to this year’s honorary chair David Gentile, president and CEO at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, for all his efforts and support. Mr. Gentile is a strong supporter of Friendship Inn’s mission and he was truly dedicated to making the 2013 event a success.
A special thank you to our presenting sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City and Burns & McDonnell, and all our sponosrs for their contributions. We recognize the businesses, organizations and individuals who generouly donated items for the silent acution.
Event proceeds will support Friendship Inn’s number one goal: restoring the house.
In The Neighborhood.
It’s always a beautiful day in our neighborhood! Friendship Inn is located at 4146 State Line Road, Kansas City, KS, 66103 amidst a charming, well-established area of Kansas City. It is less than two blocks south of the University of Kansas Hospital and very close to excellent dining and shopping districts, such as Westport, 39th Street and the Country Club Plaza. Here are links to a variety of restaurants for every taste and budget.
Also, for your convenience, you’ll see a list of additional establishments you may find useful during your stay. If you need help in locating anything else, our manager will be glad to assist you.
Note: Off-street parking is provided behind Friendship Inn, and directions can be found using the digital map, below.
Grocery Stores
Westwood Apple Market:
4701 Mission Road
Westwood, KS
913-262-2270
Marsh's Sun Fresh Westport:
4001 Mill Street
Kansas City, MO
816-931-1141
Houses of Worship
Baptist -
Roanoke Baptist Church:
3950 Wyoming Street
Kansas City, MO
816-561-4392
Catholic -
Guardian Angels Church:
1310 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO
816-931-4351
Lutheran -
Immanuel Lutheran Church (ELCA):
3950 Wyoming Street
Kansas City, MO
816-561-4392
Lutheran -
Our Savior Lutheran Church (MO Synod):
4153 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS
913-236-6228
Methodist -
Roanoke United Methodist Church:
1717 W. 41st Street
Kansas City, MO
816-753-865
Non-Denominational -
City Church:
1501 W. 42nd Street
Kansas City, MO
816-561-5790
Drugstores / Pharmacies / Discount Stores
Target:
6100 Broadmoor
Mission, KS
913-262-2434
Wal-Mart:
5150 Roe Avenue
Roeland Park, KS
913-236-8898
CVS:
4300 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, KS 66103
913-403-0581
Transportation Options /
Gas Stations / Convenience Stores
Quik Trip,
Gas Station
1301 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO
816-931-6886
Mr. Z's In & Out,
Convenience Store
1600 W. 39th Street
Kansas City, MO
816-753-5156
Short Stop Groceries,
Convenience Store
2202 W. 39th Avenue
Kansas City, KS
913-722-6068
AMOCO Food Shop,
Convenience Store
1015 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO
816-561-6225
El Sol Mini Market,
Convenience Store
4300 Lloyd Street
Kansas City, KS
913-384-0902
Get Involved.
There are many ways you can contribute to our mission of creating a welcome “home away from home” for our guests. You can volunteer your time doing yard work, tending our garden, handling fix-it jobs, baking, helping with promotional mailings, or providing assistance with our annual wine dinner fundraiser. Any help you can offer is greatly valued. Remember, “A friend in need is a friend willing to do deeds.”
To let us know if you would like to get involved, send us an email at:
info@friendshipinnkc.org
Your Donation Matters
Friendship Inn is a not-for-profit entity that exists solely on donations from caring individuals and organizations. Any amount is welcomed and will be used to fund daily operations/needs.
Trust that the value of each dollar you contribute will be multiplied by the comfort and hospitality it provides for the many families who stay with us each year. Your generosity affirms the good that comes from neighbor helping neighbor.
You may donate by:
- Specifying Friendship Inn on your donor choice form in your company‘s United Way Campaign
- Directly sending a check made out to Friendship Inn and mailed to:
Friendship Inn
5960 Dearborn
Suite 200
Mission, KS 66202
You can also contribute one or more of the items on our wish list. A donation of $30 for the first guest and $5 for each additional guest is requested for each night’s stay. For information on gifts of securities, real estate or life insurance, please email us at: info@friendshipinnkc.org
Wishful Thinking
At Friendship Inn, we’re in need of many typical household items and supplies. A contribution of any size is a big deal to us and truly appreciated. We accept the following household donations.
Bathroom Supplies
Towel Sets (white only)
Tooth Brushes and Paste
Deodorant
Toilet Paper
Kleenex Tissues
Shampoo and Conditioner
Anti-Bacterial Liquid Hand Soap
Kitchen Supplies
Small Coffee Maker
Paper Towels
Trash Bags (Sm, Md, Lg)
Paper Napkins
Ziploc Bags (Sm, Md, Lg)
Dish Soap
Breakfast Bars
Coffee, Tea Bags, Hot Chocolate Packets
House Supplies
Full and Queen Size Blankets
Queen Sheet Sets (white only)
Full Sheet Sets (white only)
Light Bulbs
Laundry Supplies
Laundry Detergent
Fabric Softener
Stain Remover
Laundry Bleach
Contact Us!
Who We Are
Officers of the Board:
Casey Housley, President
Paul Diamond, Vice President
Elaine Warren, Secretary
Ben Sims, Treasurer
Board of Directors:
Colleen Booz-Dittrich
Karen Cox
Hunter Harris
Hope Krebill
Seth Lindsey
Lindsay McPhail
Ray Samuel
Patricia Sanders-Hall
Becky Schieber
Erin Schnieder-Stucky
Chris Szeliga
Blair Tyson
Program Manager:
Peggy Walls
Assistant Program Manager:
Barbara Thornton
National Affiliation
Friendship Inn has been a member of the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses Inc. since 1995. NAHHH, located in Ashville, NC, provides a resource center, consultation services, a National Referral Directory and a networking system for hospitality houses across the nation. For more information, call 800-542-9730 or visit www.nahhh.org.