Picie Hylton moved to Salida in the 1960s. His vision, confidence and common sense lead him to purchase the local lumber yard, which he renamed Hylton Lumber. Hylton Lumber became a thriving business through the decades. Picie had a dynamic personality and was ahead of his time when he gave 50 percent of the business to the employees of Hylton Lumber. He moved to Florida in the late 1980s, where he passed away in 1997. His thoughtfulness continued, as he bestowed money to come to Salida for hospice/healthcare. This occurred for several years and was reinstated in November 2020 by the new executor of the Picie Hylton Trust, Brett Houle. It was this $16,000 donation and subsequent monthly pledges that were the inspiration to build a Hospitality House on HRRMC’s main campus.
The Hospitality House will be a four-plex building offering one-bedroom units with kitchenettes. HRRMC patients and/or caregivers/family members who live 30 or more miles away from Salida will have the ability to stay in these units, at no charge, during their treatment. This could include patients who need multiple infusions during the week, home health patients that require daily wound care, family members traveling here to support HRRMC or hospice patients, as well as pre-surgical patients who have early morning surgeries scheduled.
“We understand the financial and emotional burden to patients and their families, especially when they have so much on their minds already,” explained Lezlie Burkley, HRRMC Foundation Director. “The Picie Hylton Charitable Fund will cover operational costs for the charity housing we are planning for HRRMC patients.”
When the executor of the Picie Hylton Trust, Brett Houle, was presented with the idea for the use of funds, he stated, “Picie would have loved this! It is what he would have wanted.”
To make a secure donation to the Picie Hylton Charitable Fund and help support HRRMC patients and families, donate here. Or send a check made out to the HRRMC Foundation with a notation for the Picie Hylton Charitable Fund, and mail to the HRRMC Foundation, P.O. Box 429, Salida, CO 81201.
