Fran Wolford of Depoe Bay has had many worries in the past two weeks. Her husband has been in and out of the hospital. First, he had shoulder surgery; then he developed a bacterial infection. His kidneys failed.

One thing that Wolford didn't need to worry about, however, was where she would stay to be with her husband after his transfer from the hospital in Newport to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. A neighbor in Depoe Bay told her about the Mario Pastega House, the guest residence where people with the loved ones of those in the hospital can stay at little or no cost.

The Mario Pastega House is a 12-bedroom guest house located below the Corvallis hospital complex near the Samaritan Regional Wellness Center. Since its opening in September 2004, it has offered affordable lodging to thousands of patients and their families who live more than 25 miles away from the hospital.

"If it weren't for this house, I would have to go back and forth," Wolford said. She checked in on Monday, which saved her from a daily commute between Corvallis and Depoe Bay.

In fact, Wolford's arrival was cause for the celebration of a milestone: She's the 20,000th guest at the Pastega House.

Mario Pastega, perhaps Corvallis' most well known philanthropist, arrived in person Wednesday morning to present Wolford with flowers in honor of the landmark stay.

Pastega, the president of the local Pepsi bottling company, launched the effort to build the house with a donation of $350,000 that helped to inspire local businesses, community organizations and individuals to donate another $2 million in funds, goods and services.

"Thank you so much for this house," said Wolford as she received the flowers and a hug from Pastega. Relieved and grateful that she could remain close to her ailing husband, she added, "You should be sainted!"

Sharon Schipske, a guest at Pastega house since July 10, also attended Wednesday's observance. She had traveled from North Carolina to be with her 80-year-old father, who is in critical condition at Good Samaritan. Her parents live in Toledo, and her mother has also been staying near the hospital.

"I don't know what we would have done without the Mario Pastega House," Schipske said.

Dawn Fucillo, manager of the house and the Samaritan Regional Cancer Center, said their guests are there for a variety of reasons. In addition to relatives of hospital patients, some are cancer patients who are unable to travel back and forth from home for their treatments. Some guests stay the night before an early check-in for surgery. Others arrive unexpectedly, after emergencies ranging from a relative's heart attack to a traffic accident.

The cost is $20 a night, but nobody is turned away for inability to pay, Fucillo said. Each room includes bedding, towels, toiletries and even personal touches such as a handcrafted quilts and artwork by local residents.

The house is equipped with a laundry room, Internet access, a kitchen and dining area, a chapel and a playroom for children of guests.

"When we opened the house, we didn't know what to expect. We just knew there was a need," Fucillo said. "But it's turned out to be a phenomenal success. It's exceeded everybody's expectations."

Many people come from Lebanon, Sweet Home or the coast to stay at the house, Fucillo said. Some have come from as far away as Israel, Japan, India and England.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think we'd reach this point," Pastega said Wednesday during his visit with Wolford. Pastega said he likes to stop by the house to and from work to greet guests who are staying there. He especially enjoys seeing folks "break bread" together in the communal dining room. "They're strangers until they get to sharing their stories, and then they become friends," Pastega said.