Kim Maes, left, Hospitality House coordinator, and Misti Binkley, owner, Curves of Oak Ridge, stand among the three large shopping carts filled with food and household goods donated to Methodist Medical Center’s Hospitality Houses by members of the Curves gym. (Submitted photo)
The Hospitality Houses at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge received a weighty donation from Curves in Oak Ridge, a gym facility exclusively for women. Members collected and donated about 900 pounds of groceries and household goods to help stock the pantries at Methodist’s two Hospitality Houses—the Manly House and CALM House— which provide free lodging for patients and their families who must travel to Methodist for their cancer treatment.
The effort to collect goods for the Hospitality Houses was part of a Curves’ community food drive, which allowed members to make a donation in lieu of a down payment for their gym membership.
“Women come here because they want to take care of themselves,” said Curves of Oak Ridge owner and collection organizer Misti Binkley. “The food drive membership promotion is a way they can take care of others at the same time.”
Curves, which now offers new workouts designed by popular trainer Jillian Michaels, also encourages women’s health by offering promotions focused on women’s health screenings.
Binkley noted that Curves likes to make contributions that will be kept in the community.
The Hospitality Houses have been part of the Oak Ridge community since 1997 and are supported solely through charitable contributions. Whether that’s through monetary donations, food, and household necessities, or in the form of volunteer support, everything offered to the Hospitality Houses is valued and appreciated.
Kim Maes, Hospitality House coordinator, said: “On behalf of the many patients and families who rely on the Hospitality Houses during a medical crisis, thank you. We are continually overwhelmed by this community’s generosity and support of the Houses.”
Whether it’s volunteering your time and your talents or making a donation, there are many ways to support Methodist Medical Center’s Hospitality Houses. For a list of needs or to learn more about volunteer opportunities at the houses, call (865) 835-4358 or visit mmcoakridge.com/hospitality.
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