American Cancer Society Donates Building Materials from Church to Habitat for Humanity in Preparation for the Construction of a Hope Lodge

Once a house of hope, former LDS church building continues its legacy in Salt Lake–bringing homes to needy families and hope to cancer patients

SALT LAKE CITY, Jun 26, 2013 – After announcing its selection of Salt Lake as the location for its newest Hope Lodge, The American Cancer Society announced today that before it begins construction of the Lodge it will donate materials from the former church building on site to the local Habitat for Humanity. Together, the two organizations will harvest all reusable materials from the building for use in Habitat for Humanity’s local charitable initiatives.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated the church building and the land it sits on as the site of the future Hope Lodge. Once a refuge of hope for the community, the building and property it sits on will continue this legacy as it helps Habitat for Humanity build homes for needy Utah families and as it makes way for a home away from home for cancer patients receiving treatment in Salt Lake.

“Through the braiding of these two leading organizations, we are able to bring hope to even more people in our community who are in need,” said Pam Higginson, Vice President and Hope Lodge Campaign Director for the American Cancer Society Great West Division. “Our donation to Habitat allows them to recycle this building to bring immediate hope to those needing help with living accommodations, while allowing us to continue our progress towards giving cancer patients a place of relief, healing and hope in 2015.”

The harvesting of reusable materials will take place over the summer and into the fall, with the help of teams from local Utah businesses including O.C. Tanner and Wells Fargo. The teams of volunteers from these corporations will work to remove materials like hardwood floors, lighting fixtures, plumbing materials and wood work to be used in Habitat Homes or to be donated to Habitat’s retail outlet, ReStore, where they are sold below retail price. Proceeds from ReStore help support the affiliate’s house building goals. The joint project will also lower the amount of materials sent to the local landfill.

“We are excited to embark on this project with another charitable organization committed to improving the lives of those in need,” said Ed Blake, Executive Director for Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity. “While our causes may be different, the end goal for both Habitat for Humanity and American Cancer Society is to give hope to our local Salt Lake community. The donation from American Cancer Society will increase our ability to do this.”

Once the process is complete, the Society will begin construction of the Hope Lodge. The Lodge will provide accommodations to cancer patients and their caregivers who face long commutes or who must travel from other states to receive treatment from Salt Lake’s premier cancer centers. The building plan includes 42 private suites to accommodate patients traveling from rural Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, and Wyoming. The Lodge will serve nearly 800 patients and provide over 15,000 room nights.

To donate funds toward the construction of the Hope Lodge, volunteer or stay updated on the project, please visit HopeLodgeUtah.org.

About The American Cancer Society Utah
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $30 million to the State of Utah, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. More than just houses, they build community. They believe that their program is a permanent solution in the battle against substandard housing. With their widespread community support, their program changes the lives of those who are given the chance to purchase their own home.

About ReStore
Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a retail outlet where quality used and surplus building materials are donated by individuals, businesses, contractors, and other organizations who wish to show their support for Habitat. Products are then sold at below retail prices. Proceeds from ReStore help fund the Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity mission of eliminating poverty housing within our community. By donating materials to the ReStore you not only help assist in the building of a Habitat home but also reduce the amount of materials sent to the local landfill. The Salt Lake ReStore keeps over 390 tons of materials out of the landfill each year. To learn more visit www.habitatsaltlake.com/restore.