Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to stay at the Kiwanis Family House?

Eligible guests at the Kiwanis Family House have family members being treated at the UC Davis Health System and Shriners Hospital and who live 35 miles or more from Sacramento. Each guest family is referred by the UC Davis Health System, either by the medical staff or social worker. The UC Davis Health System refers families of patients being treated in all of their medical departments, including Trauma and Emergency Surgery, medical, Children’s Hospital, the Cancer Center, and the M.I.N.D. Institute. A daily rent fee of $50 is requested from each family.

Do only pediatric patient families stay at the Kiwanis Family House?

Our mission is to serve families of both pediatric and adult patient families at the UC Davis Health System.

How long do families normally stay at the Kiwanis Family House?

There is no time limit regarding the length of stay at the Kiwanis Family House. Families can stay from one day, to weeks or months.

Who supports the Kiwanis Family House?

Kiwanis Clubs in the California-Nevada-Hawaii district and the community at large provide support. You can support the Kiwanis Family House by contributing financially, donating supplies or volunteering.

How can I offer support?

There are many ways to support the Kiwanis Family House.  Whether you choose to drop off some household supplies or canned goods, make a financial contributions, or volunteer your time, here is a summary of the options to provide support.
Also you can:

• Donate
• Become a Friend of the Family House
• Sponsor a Room at the Family House
• Sponsor a Family for a Night
• Become a Kiwanis Club Sponsor
• Buy a Brick
• Provide items from our Wish List
• Enroll in the SaveMart S.H.A.R.E.S. Program
• Put on an ‘Awake-a-Thon’
• Include the Kiwanis Family House in your Estate Planning

 

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes! The Kiwanis Family House is a non-profit organization and is classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3), with an IRS Federal ID #68-0016996. Therefore, donations qualify for maximum tax benefits allowable by the IRS.

What about volunteers?

The Kiwanis Family House is a volunteer based operation.  While there is a paid staff on hand to take care of the guest family’s day-to-day needs, volunteers are needed to assist the front desk staff with guest check in and to answer the phone, as well as other duties throughout the facility performed by volunteers, such as cleaning, repairs and grounds upkeep.  If you are interested in volunteering, please call the House Director at 916-736-1006.

Is food provided for guests at the Kiwanis Family House?

The food closet at the Kiwanis Family House provides food to just-arriving guest families.  If the guest family’s stay is for an extended period of time, the family is asked to purchase their own food supply, which is supplemented with food provided by the Kiwanis Family House (milk, bread, eggs, cereal and canned goods).   Each guest family is assigned to a refrigerator and cupboard space to store their purchased food.  Meals are self-prepared by the families.

Is RV parking available at the Kiwanis Family House?

Yes, RV parking is available: 7 RV spaces with full utility hook-ups for families of patients being treated at the UC Davis Health System.