News
(March 31, 2009) - Since opening its doors in January 2008, the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Lois McClure - Bee Tabakin Building, has received outstanding volunteer and donor support, reached exciting milestones, and offered a new, state-of-the-art facility to nearly 500 cancer patients and caregivers.
"It was so exciting to finally move guests from the old East Avenue Lodge and introduce them to their new home away from home" recalls Hope Lodge manager Angela Putnam. The fully accessible, 13,000-square-foot facility addresses the needs of cancer patients in ways the older Hope Lodge couldn’t. Guests now have private restrooms with each room, ample kitchen space for cooking and food storage, and large public spaces. "We now hold support group meetings, caregiver luncheons, yoga classes, and volunteer activities," says Angela.
Each weeknight there's something special cooking in the Hope Lodge kitchen. Volunteers from GE and Fletcher Allen Health Care, along with individuals, cook and serve many meals. "Dinners have grown from 5-10 to 15-20 guests at a sitting, and our volunteers now cook and serve nearly every evening meal," says Angela.
We welcomed our first Celebrity Chef in 2008, Rick Gencarelli, head chef of the Inn at Shelburne Farms. Chef Gencarelli dazzled guests with an extravagant, healthy, five-course meal, inspiring an expansion of the Celebrity Chef program in 2009.
Beyond the kitchen, volunteers and donors have shaped and supported the Lodge in many ways. Last year saw the addition of a beautiful memorial garden, the planting of daffodils, and dedication of a popular Quality of Life Center.
The Lodge's creature comforts are warmly received, but the most appreciated aspect of the Lodge has been freedom from the cost of lodging and daily transportation. The Lois McClure—Bee Tabakin Building provided more than 2,500 nights of lodging this past year, saving guests more than $250,000 on hotel rooms at the market rate. On June 9, 2008, the Hope Lodge reached the first day at full occupancy, remaining at or near capacity ever since.