Transplant House received a big welcome to the University Circle neighborhood from Zeta Beta Tau fraternity from Case Western Reserve University on Saturday, September 27!  Sixteen ZBT brothers walked over to the House to weed gardens and plant mums, assemble bedframes and headboards, paint entryways, perform small plumbing and maintenance tasks, and spread positive energy! 

“We needed those extra hands in order to prepare for our October 9 Grand Opening, when we will finally have all seven of our apartment suites ready for guests,” said Erica Miller, Transplant House Founding President.  “They were sweet- very agreeable, kind, eager to help and just so fun to know.  And they did great work, too!” Erica added. 

Marcus Dempster, ZBT President explained that “many of us have seen firsthand the challenges transplant patients and their loved ones must deal with, and we are privileged to help an organization that aims to provide relief for patients undergoing transplant surgery.  As a group of young college men who dedicate themselves to the principles of social responsibility and intellectual awareness, we welcome the Cleveland Transplant House to the University Circle community!”

The ZBT fraternity brothers are still healing from their own deep pain, caused by the tragic loss of two of their own members in August.   “The entire University Circle community stepped up to help us when we were in need; helping others within the Circle is one of the best ways we can imagine to give back,” Marcus explains.

Transplant House guest, Ashley Foster, also paid it forward and baked cookies for the guys, adding the perfect touch to our gratefulness. “The staff at the Transplant House of Cleveland have really gone above and beyond to make us feel at home. It is such a relief to come back from my doctor appointments and testing and be able to say ‘it’s nice to be home!'”

Transplant House of Cleveland is recruiting volunteers now.  We are grateful that ZBT gave us such a strong start!