Author Ferne Burkhardt with a cardboard cutout of Ilda
Bauman, an early key person in her 1989 book on the
history of House of Friendship.
House of Friendship has always been part of Ferne Burkhardt’s story, all the way back to her childhood.
“I remember my mother using big, glass jars to can things from our garden to take to House of Friendship,” said Ferne. “And she and other people from my church occasionally went there to help.”
Having recently celebrated her 90th birthday, Ferne has been a first-hand witness to the decades of growth and change at House of Friendship, including a special focus on the first 50 years, documented in her 1989 book, “A Mighty Flood: The House of Friendship Story.”
Through her work on the book, Ferne interviewed many of the key people who had a foundational role in House of Friendship, like our first-ever cook Mabel Steinmann.
“Mabel was amazing. She wanted to be in the background, but she just did whatever needed to be done.”
And while House of Friendship has grown and changed significantly since it began in 1939, Ferne still sees that same focus and determination at the heart of the work that continues to this day.
“House of Friendship has always been doing a lot of good work that needed to be done,” said Ferne. “It started with food, and then moved into a much broader mission.
“I knew much more about House of Friendship than any other charitable organization, so I was quite ready to wave the flag.”
That’s why Ferne has chosen to leave a gift in her Will to House of Friendship.
“We can’t solve all the problems in the world. But I think we’re called to do whatever we can in our corner. Every little bit we can do for others is going to help.”
Her generosity, inspired by her intimate knowledge of the House of Friendship story, will ensure that this story will continue well into the future.
If you are interested in learning more about leaving a gift in your Will to House of Friendship, please visit www.houseoffriendship.org/wills, or reach out to Development Director Natalie Schill, at natalies@houseoffriendship.org.
