EVERGREEN LODGE

Home Away From Home

The Evergreen Lodge provides a peaceful, supportive atmosphere in a low-cost home away from home for cancer patients, care givers and, as space permits, other patients from out of the area who are undergoing extensive medical treatment at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. Before Evergreen Lodge opened its doors, no facility of its type existed on the North Coast. Those undergoing long-term cancer treatment were faced with either paying for expensive overnight accommodations or returning home on a daily basis. For many, especially those from outlying areas, this proved arduous and exhausting.

At the Evergreen Lodge, comfortable, home-like surroundings provide the physical and emotional relief patients need during the period of cancer treatment. There is even space for a caregiver - a family member or loved one - to stay with each patient during this critical time in his or her medical care.

The Evergreen Lodge has fourteen private living suites, a large common living room, and a utility room with coin operated washers and dryers. Each suite is equipped with a telephone, television, dishes and cooking utensils, towels, bedding, and pillows. The building is surrounded by landscaped patio gardens and three RV pads with complete hookups. The large community room serves as a gathering place where patients are able to meet other families who are far from home and facing similar medical treatment.

The Evergreen Lodge is made possible through the generosity of volunteers, employees, physicians, and many friends in our community.

A Dream

The Evergreen Lodge began with the vision of the director of the local American Cancer Society who recognized the need for convenient, low-cost lodging for cancer patients undergoing treatment in Humboldt County. Her vision quickly became a reality with the help of volunteers and community groups who donated gifts of time, materials, and money for the $800,000 project.

Members of the Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka, The American Cancer Society, and St. Joseph Hospital, which donated the land for the Lodge, began a fund-raising drive in 1987. College of the Redwoods students - aided by local builders - constructed the 6,626 square foot building. Less than three years later Evergreen Lodge opened its doors to its first patient.

With the expansion of Evergreen Lodge in 2005, the dream continued. Once again, the Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka, the American Cancer Society, and St. Joseph Hospital worked together to better serve the needs of the community.

Today, the Lodge continues to meet the needs of cancer patients and their families through the ongoing commitment and dedication of the Evergreen Lodge volunteers and the onsite social worker.

For more information please contact:

Janette Garrison, BSW Social Worker

janette.garrison@stjoe.org

Evergreen Lodge Reception/Volunteers

707-445-8121 ext 7980