Fontbonne Donates Blankets for Hope Lodge

While many spring season teams use the fall strictly for off-season training and team-building exercises, the Fontbonne University softball team took time aside last week to spend their time together in a different way; making tie-blankets to give to Hope Lodge. 

"Making these blankets for Hope Lodge gave me the opportunity to get to know and bond with new people while also getting to make a small difference in cancer patients' lives," said Fontbonne University softball player Elizabeth Bartlett. 

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's relationship with Hope Lodge began in 2017 with a visit to the American Cancer Society-sponsored organization. Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when having to travel to St. Louis for effective treatment. Since that time the SLIAC SAAC group has made several visits to the facility, spending time with patients and their families, serving them lunch, playing board games, and creating various crafts. In each of the last two seasons, the SLIAC has also dedicated all of its money raised during its annual conference-wide Coaches vs. Cancer campaign directly to Hope Lodge in St. Louis. 

"I feel like making blankets for patients at Hope Lodge is the least we can do. I was so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this great program and was more than glad to make blankets," said Bartlett. 

Hope Lodge provides a nurturing, home-like environment where guests can retreat to private rooms or connect with others. Every Hope Lodge also offers a variety of resources and information about cancer and how best to fight the disease. There are 31 total Hope Lodges across the United States. For more information visit their website HERE

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