April, 2001

by Mary J. Shomon

On a strictly first-come, first-served basis the Stowe Area Association will be giving away hundreds of free hotel rooms for the weekend of May 4 through 6 to cancer patients, cancer survivors and their families. The giveaway is part of Stowe's first annual 'Weekend of Hope' which has the twin goals of raising money to fight the disease and educating the public on new treatments, the rudiments of living with cancer, nutrition, prevention, the ins and outs of insurance and much more. 30 of Stowes Inns, Resorts and B&B's, including the historic Green Mountain Inn, will be donating two-nights stays to the cause. Would-be participants simply call the Stowe Area Association at 800/24-STOWE during regular business hours to book. The reservationists there will assign rooms until all are taken (several hundred rooms have been donated). Guests cannot however, request a particular hotel--these will be randomly assigned on a rotating basis. Once in Stowe all 'Hope' activities will be free as well. There will be 'fireside chats' with top researchers and oncologists at various locations around town to give attendees a chance to sit and talk directly with the experts; lectures and seminars; a guided hike of Mount Mansfield (the tallest mountain in New England); ecumenical services; and an inspirational candlelight walk on Stowe's Rec Path. Ben and Jerry's has donated ice-cream, and a number of local vendors will be supplying light hors d'oerves to sustain participants throughout the course of the weekend. For more information, the number of the Stowe Area Association once again is 800/24-STOWE.