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A Dec. 7 open house celebrated the Team “E” Fieldhouse of Hope opening in Hills and Game Plan 4 Hope’s volunteer fan club.
“We are excited to see how the building is going to help us with our current mission and open doors to new opportunities in the future,” said co-founder Missy Bass.
Hills couples Jeff and Missy Bass and Heather and Aaron Erickson, formed the nonprofit Game Plan 4 Hope in 2019 to be “quarterbacks” for families experiencing life-changing events as they had with their own sons.
The opening of an office and multi-purpose area gives them and volunteers a place to assemble care packages, write encouragement notes, provide emotional support, and coordinate hospital outreach activities with families just affected or in the middle of the life-changing journey.
“We can spread our wings locally, too,” added Heather Erickson.
A public fitness center will open early in 2022 when remodeling is complete, and the multi-purpose room with Zoom Room Technology is available for rent for private or business events.
“The community supported us and we’re happy we can offer something back to everyone,” Jeff Bass said.
A fundraising campaign to remodel the former grain elevator office at 312 W. 3rd Ave. began on Jan. 1 with a $135,000 goal.
The group raised nearly $144,000.
Within months, members of the local football team and others in the community helped remove walls, and skilled volunteer offered construction, plumbing and electrical work, while adding decorative features both inside and out.
In the Fieldhouse, medical equipment that Game Plan 4 Hope has received will be inventoried, repaired and redistributed to families readjusting to the life-changing events that may require such equipment.
The handicap-accessible vans are housed at the Fieldhouse and are available to families, including the Bass family.
Their son, Trenton Bass, was 17 when he suffered a paralyzing injury during a high school football game in 2017. The family used the specially equipped van to transport Trenton to and from medical experts as he learned to live as a quadriplegic.
The medical equipment, advice, spiritual support and knowledge gained during Trenton’s recovery are what the Basses want to pass along through Game Plan 4 Hope.
Cancer brought life-changing events to the Erickson family when their then 11-year-old son, Ethan, was diagnosed with Burkitts Leukemia.
They share through Game Plan 4 Hope an understanding of the difficult decisions they made in Ethan’s care.
After 18 months, leukemia eventually took Ethan’s life in 2019, a month before Game Plan 4 Hope was officially formed. The “E” in Team “E” Fieldhouse of Hope is named for Ethan.
Support and grief group meetings are also envisioned for the Fieldhouse, which will also host speakers and learning opportunities.
“The Fieldhouse has truly allowed us to spread out from our bubble,” Heather Erickson said.
For more information about renting the building, using the vans or medical equipment, referring a family who needs support, or to join the Game Plan 4 Hope Volunteer Fan Club, email info@gameplan4hope.org or call 605-743-4902.