Rose Burns, left, a cosmetology student at Adirondack Educational Center, gives a manicure to Dorothy Weaver Thursday as part of a push to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge program. (Enterprise photo — Jesse Adcock)

SARANAC LAKE — For Rose Burns’ senior project, she wanted to give back to an organization that has helped her family with the skills she’s been building at the Adirondack Educational Center.

A Lake Placid High School student enrolled in the cosmetology program, Burns, 17, hosted a day of manicures Thursday to raise money for the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Burlington, Vermont.

“I’m doing this because my family has stayed at Hope Lodge; it’s specifically for families who have cancer and are going through treatment,” Burns said. “My family has stayed there in a time of need, and I just want to give back to them and the families that are going through the same type of issues that we are.”

The Hope Lodge offers free lodgings for cancer patients and their caregivers who need to travel distances more than an hour away from their home to undergo treatment.

Twenty-two other cosmetology students joined Burns to give manicures to more than 30 customers. All money raised went to the lodge, with a suggested donation of $5.

“Rose came to me a while ago and asked if I would help and be her mentor for this project,” cosmetology instructor Darcey Burman said. “She wanted to use her skills in cosmetology to somehow benefit the lodge.”

Burns will collect donations through May 17 for the Hope Lodge. Additionally, while she said it’s still in the works, she plans to offer manicures at Lake Placid High School for Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday.

Anyone who would like to contribute to Burns’ charity drive can make out a check to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Burlington and send it to the Adirondack Educational Center, 711 state Route 3, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.

To find out more about the Hope Lodge program, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/hopelodge.