Rams lend helping hand at Hope Lodge

Cornell College's volleyball team took time out from its preseason workouts Wednesday night and prepared a pasta dinner for the guests and caregivers at the Russell and Ann Gerdin American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Iowa City.

Working in groups of five, the Rams took on different tasks of planning, grocery shopping, cooking, serving and clean-up for this volunteer project. The team was able to eat with the guests and caregivers, and conversed with these people throughout the evening.

"It is during activities such as our dinner with the residents of Hope Lodge that I am most proud of our team," Cornell head coach Jeff Meeker said. "Watching the way they connected and shared smiles with those battling cancer was pretty special."

Hope Lodge is funded in part by the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. The facility offers guests a variety of cancer programs and services free of charge that provide information, resources and support to ease the cancer journey.

In the spring, Meeker's volleyball team participated in Cornell's annual Relay for Life and Mini-Relay for Life. The team raised over $11,000 during the two events for the American Cancer Society.

"It was a great experience (Wednesday night) for our team to see an example of where the money we raise during Relay for Life goes," assistant coach Katie Green said. "This was a great opportunity to meet and talk with the people who directly benefit from this fundraising."

Green said the players are already discussing what they can serve for dinner the next time they're able to get back to Hope Lodge.