Burlington, VT – January 22, 2020 – SeaComm Federal Credit Union presented a check for $50,000 to support the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program in Burlington. The credit union will open its seventh branch location in South Burlington, in January 2020.
Sometimes, the best treatment is far from home. For some cancer patients living in the North Country, that treatment is in Burlington. The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge program makes it an affordable option by providing a free place for cancer patients and their caregiver to stay, in a supportive environment.
“Our Board of Directors has set aside funds to assist the Hope Lodge, ensuring patients and their families will not have to worry about the financial burden associated with staying in Burlington during treatments,” said Myron F. Burns, chairman, board of directors for SeaComm. “We understand how financial constraints can affect families and Hope Lodge is able to ease their minds by providing this wonderful respite. SeaComm’s gift will assist them in continuing this vital role. We know how extremely important this is to our members, friends and neighbors of the North Country and this gift enables us to continue to fulfill our mission of ‘People Helping People’.”
“We are extremely grateful to SeaComm for providing this generous donation,” said Angela Putnam, manager of Hope Lodge. There is never a charge to the patient to stay at one of the Society’s Lodges, but it does take resources to keep the Lodges operating, and the SeaComm donation will help us continue to provide a nurturing, comfortable environment for patients during their stay. Not having to worry about lodging allows them to focus on what is most important—fighting cancer,” said Putnam.
Each year, the Hope Lodge in Burlington provides nearly 5,000 free nights of lodging. Hope Lodge locations vary in size, but each Lodge offers a private bath and sleeping accommodations for two (one guest undergoing cancer treatment and one caregiver). There are also community dining, laundry, kitchen and recreational areas.
For more information about the Hope Lodge program, please call the American Cancer Society, day or night at 1-800-227-2345, or visit cancer.org/hopelodge.
SeaComm is a member owned financial cooperative based in Massena with over 47,500 members and assets of more than $550 million. The credit union has branches in Massena, Potsdam, Malone, Canton, Ogdensburg, and Plattsburgh. SeaComm will open its seventh branch location in South Burlington, Vermont, in January 2020. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex Counties, New York and Grand Isle, Chittenden and Franklin Counties, Vermont. For more information about SeaComm, visit seacomm.org