News Summary
The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Charleston has officially been renamed the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge. This follows a rededication ceremony that highlighted the significant contributions of the Schulze Family Foundation, which includes a $10 million matching grant campaign for lodge renovations. The Charleston facility has been instrumental in supporting cancer patients and their families, offering complimentary lodging, meals, and emotional support. Despite raising $2.6 million, there’s a goal to raise an additional $75,000 to increase room capacity for patients.
Charleston, South Carolina – The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Charleston has been officially renamed the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge following a rededication ceremony held on May 9, 2025. Notable attendees included Richard and Karon Schulze, along with various representatives from the cancer society.
The Hope Lodge plays a vital role in supporting cancer patients and their families by providing complementary lodging, meals, and emotional support during treatment. As part of the recent renovations funded by Schulze’s generous donation, the lodge’s enhancement was emphasized through a $10 million matching grant campaign launched by Schulze’s foundation in 2023. This initiative encouraged other Hope Lodges to raise funds, with a specific target of $2 million for renovations.
In an inspiring turn of events, the Charleston Hope Lodge not only met but surpassed the challenge by raising $2.6 million, demonstrating the community’s commitment to supporting cancer patients. However, the lodge is still seeking to raise an additional $75,000 to expand its current capacity from 18 rooms to 20. This need is critical as the facility has maintained a two-week waiting list for patients seeking accommodations.
Over the past year, the Charleston Hope Lodge has hosted 462 patients and their families, providing a staggering 9,870 nights of free accommodation, which has saved them over $1.39 million in lodging costs. The ongoing support from volunteers has been instrumental in maintaining operations, with many dedicating their time to prepare meals and assist families.
Richard Schulze, who is the founder of Best Buy, has personal experience with the struggles associated with cancer treatment, having lost his wife Sandy to mesothelioma. This experience reflects his commitment to ensuring that patients have a supportive and nurturing environment during challenging times.
The Hope Lodge in Charleston has a rich history, being the first of its kind, founded in 1970 by Margot Freudenberg. Presently, there are 32 Hope Lodges operating throughout the country, with the American Cancer Society continuously striving to expand its services to reach more families in need.
Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, the interim CEO of the American Cancer Society, has acknowledged the significant impact of Schulze’s contributions, which amount to a remarkable total of $55 million from the Schulze Family Foundation to the society over the years. This figure is highly likely to represent the largest single donation received from a family foundation, underscoring the importance of charitable efforts in enhancing cancer care and support services.
The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families in Charleston, emphasizing the power of community support and philanthropy in the fight against cancer.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News 4
- Wikipedia: American Cancer Society
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- Google Search: American Cancer Society
- Post and Courier
- Google Scholar: Hope Lodge Charleston
- Count On 2
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hope Lodge
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- Google News: Charleston Hope Lodge
