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Decking Lodge With Cheer

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By LENORA LAKE, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 5, 2007

Updated: 12/03/2007 09:11 pm

USF CAMPUS - Wearing Santa hats and armed with ornaments, lights and ribbons, the volunteers went to work, spreading holiday cheer.

Members of the Sword of Hope Guild, the American Cancer Society's support group, recently decorated the cancer society's Hope Lodge for the holiday season. The lodge on the University of South Florida campus offers free housing and support for cancer patients undergoing treatment and their caregivers. One of 22 in the nation, the Tampa lodge includes private bedroom suites and common living and dining areas.

Jo Ranney of Carrollwood, who is serving for the third year as chairwoman of the decorating project, said, "The residents are here over the holidays. It helps make them feel as comfortable as possible.

"It's hard to get into the holiday spirit while undergoing chemo and radiation."

There is at least one Christmas tree per floor in the four-story lodge. Some trees have themes or specific color schemes, such as red and gold. Outside are wreaths and ribbons. Garlands are draped across mantels and balconies.

On Nov. 28, standing in the middle of the first-floor living room, Ranney gave the volunteers decorating assignments. She ran out of people before she finished her list.

"A lot of areas are not covered. Anybody who finishes up, stop by another floor and help out," Ranney said. "Or just do your area and show up here again."

Nationally known decorator Mary Carol Garrity created the holiday look at the lodge several years ago when the "Today" show commissioned her to create a setting with a $1,000 budget. After "Today" aired the segment, Garrity donated the items to the lodge.

Each year, the volunteers review pictures of Garrity's creations and try to re-create the look. They add a few special touches of their own. They also watched a videotape of the "Today" show segment.

The tape brought tears to the eyes of Dianne Jones, a Tampa Palms resident, who also volunteers at the lodge.

Jones said: "A couple of those people were one we all loved and they have passed. When you come into a facility like this, it is a home away from home."

Some patients and caregivers helped with the decorating. Among them was Irene Linn of Cape Coral, who is staying at the lodge as the caregiver for her 57-year-old brother, who is receiving treatment.

She and guild member Kay McKenzie of Carrollwood began tying red ribbons on posts in the lodge's circular entrance. They instantly bonded.

"She's the instructor, and I am her elf today," Linn said.

McKenzie said she is called "The Bow Lady" by friends because of her ability to make large bows for various organizations' decorating projects.

"I love to see all the decorations," she said. "Also, when I think of people who are battling any serious illness, if there is any little thing I can do, I say, 'Why not?'"

Lodge residents Joann and Alex Sadulski of Palm Bay also joined the decorating crew. They have been at the lodge since Oct. 8, when he began receiving treatment. On Friday, they return to their hometown, where they volunteer at the city's police department and the library.

The Sadulskis, who will celebrate their 55th anniversary in April, said they helped because it was good for the lodge residents to have the decorations and good therapy for themselves. It was another way to be active and to stay positive about his treatment. "Attitude is half the battle," Alex Sadulski said.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851 or llake@tampatrib.com.

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