I am honored to share with you that I have been selected as one of 25 interior designers chosen to create a tabletop for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge Holiday Bash. The photo below is a rendering of what my table will look like for the event. The Hope Lodge gala will take place on December 6, 2016 at the Harmonie Club, in New York City. The Harmonie Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious men’s clubs in the city. The funds raised from the gala go straight to the Lodge.
Hope Lodge Holiday Bash - Seasons of Hope
The theme for this year’s Holiday Bash is “Seasons of Hope.” The theme represents the journey of a cancer patient and the HOPE that each day brings from season to season. The tabletop designs for the event will depict one of the four seasons. My tabletop will represent FALL. The table topper you see in the rendering above is from Fortuny Venezia, the dinnerware will be from Arte Italica; and the floral arrangement you see in the illustration above will be provided by Brooklyn based florist, Makini Regal Designs.
Hope Lodge NYC is one of The American Cancer Society’s network of 31 Hope Lodges across the country. These places of comfort provide lodging and support services (all free of charge) for cancer patients and their caregivers when they are receiving outpatient treatment away from home. The guests, benefit from full amenities and a host of social and wellness programs. For instance, this includes yoga, meditation, healing touch, and music therapy.
Last week I was in NYC to attend an informational meeting in preparation for the gala. In other words, I had the pleasure of meeting the hosts of the Hope Lodge NYC Holiday Bash, Guillaume Gentet (right) and David Carpenter. They are a dynamic duo and it was an absolute delight to meet them. Our first meeting took place at The Hope Lodge for breakfast and a tour. Guillaume and David treated us like royalty by serving us all a breakfast they had prepared.
Hope Lodge Holiday Bash
After that, we toured Hope Lodge. Below is the common sitting area and kitchen, bedroom and veranda.
The lodge is as lovely as any hotel or resort I have been to. And that veranda? It is simply stunning. For instance, you feel like you are in your own private pied-a-terre!
There were nuggets of love and hope at every turn at the Hope Lodge. A nameplate marks the person who made a donation to build each guest room. I love how the photo below shows the room’s honoree is “To Life”. Each room also contains a journal. Each patient is patient can share their story in order to encourage the next guest on their journey.
We also had the great pleasure of meeting two of The Hope Lodge’s guests, Blanca and Sandy Singer from Las Vegas. Sandy was diagnosed with cancer in Las Vegas. He said he would not be alive today if it weren’t for Hope Lodge. Sandy was able to receive his life-saving treatment at Sloan Kettering in NYC because he did not have the financial burden of paying for hotel accommodations.
Above all, Blanca and Sandy said that the lodge is “Hope” and “Family”.
Steinway Hall Reception
My visit ended on a high note with a lovely kickoff reception to the Holiday Bash at Steinway Hall.
In addition, I felt like a star on the red carpet when I entered Steinway Hall. For instance, I was greeted with this banner with my name, yes, my name, featured among this stellar group of fellow interior designers.
It was truly a pinch-me moment.
In conclusion, I am humbled beyond words to be included in this event. Not only am I keeping company with some very talented designers, but more importantly, the event will help Hope Lodge NYC. To say that I have been touched by Hope Lodge is putting it mildly.
Therefore, I encourage you to visit one of The American Cancer Society’s thirty-one Hope Lodges. In addition, you can find a list of them here and more information.
Cancer is devastating and far-reaching. Similarly, you know how catastrophic it can be if you or your family have been dealt the cancer card. However, Hope Lodge is one bright spot in the devastation that comes with cancer.
A Big Thank You to Hope Lodge for providing a comfortable retreat for cancer patients.
And here’s to “HOPE” that cancer will be completely obliterated.
~~~
Leslie Hendrix Wood
Leslie Hendrix Wood Interiors
Interior Designer
Midland, Texas
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Rendering by Joan of Art