During this time of year, we think of a refugee homeless couple with an infant baby seeking shelter. There was no room at the inn. Fast forward over two thousand years to the present and we have good news of the kindness of a local inn-keeper and his staff who have provided actual warmth and comfort to Rochesterians in dire need. Brian M. Potter, General Manager of the Staybridge Suites extended-stay hotel at Brooks Landing, shared essential resources on behalf of the difficult-to-place homeless men and women sheltered at REACH Home at Dimitri House at 102 North Union Street.

As a good steward and businessperson, Brian Potter continuously upgrades the furnishings at Staybridge Suites on Genesee Street across the river from the UR River Campus. Brian rented and filled two U-Haul trucks filled with clean and gently-used bedding supplies, coffee-makers and furniture that jump-started the preparation process for the formerly-empty REACH Home. His donation of comfortable chairs was shared with the House of Mercy.

Additionally, Staybridge Suites made prime conference space available for processing holiday personal care item donations gathered by University of Rochester students and shared with a variety of agencies.

At a time when it seems that the less fortunate are shunned, it is a welcome and shining example to see a business interest choose to do well by doing good. Best wishes to the management and staff at Staybridge Suites for a prosperous New Year.

Staybridge Suites is located at 1000 Genesse Street, (585) 527.9110

John Curran

Saint Monica Church parish outreach ministries