KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Tri-State Restoration in Keene is rallying community support this month for David’s House, a nonprofit that provides a free, welcoming place for families with children receiving medical care at Dartmouth Health Children’s in Lebanon.

Co-owner Rebecca Norway, who helps lead the Monadnock-based restoration company with her husband, Sam, said the cause hits close to home. Norway’s family has long supported David’s House, and a recent customer who needed the organization’s services reminded her just how vital the organization is.

“Families living paycheck to paycheck often don’t have the money to eat out or stay in a hotel while their child is hospitalized,” Norway said. “David’s House gives them a place to go — a home-away-from-home during one of the hardest times in their lives.”

Founded in 1986, David’s House was born from the vision of five-year-old David Cyr, who battled leukemia for more than three years. Before he passed away, David had quietly saved $300.78 — his spare change, allowance, and birthday money — for what he told his father would be “a special reason.” After his death, David’s parents, Dick and Gisela Cyr, used that money to launch a nonprofit that would make good on their son’s dream of helping other families.

During David’s many hospital visits, Dick often met parents who slept in their cars or in hospital chairs because they couldn’t afford nearby lodging but refused to leave their child’s side. Within a week of David’s passing, the Cyrs and their friends began fundraising, and by Jan. 20, 1986, David’s House opened its doors in Hanover. When Dartmouth’s pediatric services moved to Lebanon in 1991, a new David’s House was built next to the hospital, where it still stands today.

Entirely community-funded, David’s House has welcomed more than 16,000 families from around the world and continues to operate 365 days a year without charging any fees.

Tri-State Restoration’s donation drive runs through Nov. 10, but Norway said they’ll continue to accept contributions afterward.

Donations from the organization’s official shopping list can be dropped off at Tri-State Restoration, 28 Monadnock Highway, Keene. Cash or gift card donations can also be made directly through Tri-State Restoration’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Items on David’s House’s shopping list include:

Household supplies: toilet paper, tissues, Miele GN 3D vacuum bags, contractor-style trash bags, Free & Clear laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and dish and hand soaps, plus Clorox toilet wand heads.
Hygiene items: travel-sized deodorant and shaving cream.
Miscellaneous needs: iPhone chargers, disposable headphones, and Nintendo Switch games.
Gift cards: Walmart, Price Chopper, Hannaford, Amazon, or general cash cards for purchasing cleaning and household goods.
Postage: U.S. Forever stamps.

“Even a single item from the list helps a family directly,” Norway said. “It’s about giving comfort and dignity to people who need it most.”

To learn more about David’s House, its mission, and a complete shopping list, visit www.davids-house.org.