This year, the award goes to
Laura Bruce from Marshfield, WI, and the
Tuesday Crew (Elaine Dixon,
Ronnie Dixon,
JoAnn Lewis,
Bobby Manning, and
Patsy Manning) from Greenville, NC.
These award winners have given their time to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. Let's learn more about their impact at their local Hope Lodge!
Individual Award Winner
Laura has been dedicated to volunteering at the
Hope Lodge in Marshfield, WI, since 2003 when the facility opened to guests. As a volunteer, she has spent more than 1,600 hours in various roles including making beds, managing fellow volunteers, greeting guests, and filling in where she is needed.
She is the volunteer coordinator and helps to recruit new volunteers, guides them through the onboarding process, manages volunteer schedules, and recognizes fellow volunteers for the contributions they are making. She also regularly participates in annual fundraisers for the facility, Daffodil Days, and her local Relay For Life event.
"It's difficult for me to summarize Laura's contribution to Hope Lodge," said Jewel Quelle, Hope Lodge manager. "She fills in every gap we have, filling whatever need we might have, and has done so from day one."
In her "spare time," Laura volunteers with Columbus Catholic Schools and Our Lady of Peace Parish.
Group Award Winner
In 2005, the
Tuesday Crew began volunteering at the
McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge in Greenville, NC. This group of family and friends all started volunteering because one high school student needed volunteer services hours. Now, 13 years later, the Tuesday Crew spends hours preparing feasts for guests and leading devotionals and sing-a-longs every Tuesday. That adds up to serving approximately 13,000 meals conservatively at Hope Lodge. Wow!
They go "all out" on holidays by dressing for the season and serving seasonal dishes. For Valentine's Day, they serve a "couples" dinner for the caregiver and patient. In December, they host a special holiday dinner program for guests that includes a visit from Santa. They also serve at the Lodge's annual Volunteer Appreciation celebration and our reunion each year.
"When we count our blessings, we can always count the Tuesday Crew," said Katrina Combs, Hope Lodge manager.
Additionally, this crew raises money for Relay For Life by selling hand-crafted/homemade items such as jellies, jams, pickles, Christmas wreaths, and wooden benches. They also help sponsor the Pitt County Survivors dinner each year and attend the Pitt County Fair to raise awareness and money for their Relay For Life team.
An incredible volunteer group, Tuesday Crew, welcomes each guest at the McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge with down-home southern charm and loving hearts.
About the award
The Margot S. Freudenberg National Award is named after Margot S. Freudenberg, founder of the first Hope Lodge facility in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1970. It honors an outstanding individual and a caring group of volunteers each year.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Lora Strauss, regional director, Hope Lodge Operations.
