New Family Respite Center in Savannah

Imperial Sugar Company has committed $75,000 toward building a full-service, family waiting area at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, where its employees were treated after the 2008 refinery explosion in Port Wentworth, Ga.

Architectural rendering of the new Family Respite Care Center by Hussey, Gay, Bell, and DeYoung.

The new Family Respite Care Center will serve family members of trauma victims and critically ill patients, offering them overnight accommodations and other services.

The new facility is “the vision of Rusty and Coren Ross,” whose daughter, Jennifer, died in 2006, according to the medical center. Imperial Sugar’s contribution is part of $500,000 being raised for the project.

“Memorial University Medical Center provided for our employees in a time of urgent need,” says George Muller, vice president of administration at Imperial Sugar. “We want to give back to help ease the burden of those who will come here in the future.”

Donald Farmer, an Imperial Sugar employee injured in the explosion, spoke at a groundbreaking ceremony. Farmer told WSAV TV: “I survived a very horrendous accident, and every day, I thank the Lord for me being here.

“When I came through here, they treated me with care. Everybody seemed to know exactly what they were doing.”

Farmer said he is pleased to know that families using the new respite center will be well taken care of – just as loved ones are who undergo treatment at the medical facility.

Memorial University Medical Center is a 530-bed, academic medical facility that serves a 35-county area in southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina, offering a Level 1 trauma center.

The 4,000-square-foot expansion project will include a kitchen, dining area, washer/dryer, showers and 10 private rooms. It is expected to be finished in several months.

Watch the WSAV news segment by clicking here.