DOWN EAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS
OF Washington COUNTY
44 years of Compassionate Care
207-454-7521 EXT. 9126
Down East Hospice Volunteers is the only Washington County all-volunteer non-profit program licensed by the State of Maine, providing free comfort care to residents since 1981
Dear Down East Hospice Volunteers and Friends,
As we begin a New Year in 2025, Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County, Maine hopes that you will continue to remember others. You give a priceless gift when you reach out with kind words and caring actions to those who may need help in your communities. This is not something new and I have mentioned this before, but sometimes we all need a little nudge to remember such simple things.
Our dedicated hospice volunteers continued providing compassionate care throughout the holidays and will do so throughout the coming year, spending time with their hospice clients and giving much-needed respite to caregivers.
Consider becoming a hospice volunteer with Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County, or where you live. Local volunteer hospices everywhere need people like you. Make someone smile every time you visit. Spend a couple of hours with someone and provide respite to their caregivers.
We want to thank our local community and those afar, for the continued support you give to Down East Hospice Volunteers. I want to thank the amazing hospice volunteers in our organization and hospice volunteers around the world who give their time and ask for nothing in return. You are the heart of every volunteer hospice organization.
Down East Hospice Volunteers will be offering volunteer training in the Spring of 2025. Dates to be announced. If you are interested or have any questions about hospice volunteering, please get in touch with me.
Barbara Barnett / Executive Director of Volunteer Services
Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County, Maine
Celebrating 44 years of compassionate care.
What Does It Take To Be A Hospice Volunteer?
Are you a good listener? If so, you are 90% on your way to be a Down East Hospice Volunteer of Washington County.
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If you have thought about becoming a hospice volunteer, now is the time. You will never be asked to do anything with which you are uncomfortable. Your schedule can be very flexible, working out the days and times that work for you when you are providing compassionate companionship for your hospice client.
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Every act of kindness, no matter how small, does make a difference. You can make a difference. Join our team. There is no special background needed to volunteer; a medical background is not necessary. Our hospice volunteers are men and women of all ages from all walks of life.
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Call us today to become a hospice volunteer, it is a rewarding experience.
Volunteer Training Spring Graduates
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Down East Hospice Volunteers is proud to have graduated six new volunteers
who completed a 25-hour training.
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Congratulations to the graduates of the hospice volunteer training.
Each participant brought a unique approach to caring for those at the end of life.
DEHV proudly welcomes these compassionate, caring community members on board
as fully trained hospice volunteers.
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The venue was graciously provided to us on the campus of Down East Community Hospital.
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DEHV holds two training sessions a year and we are available for questions at any time should you be interested in learning more about becoming a hospice volunteer.
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Please feel free to reach out to Barbara Barnett, Executive Director at 207-454-7521 x126
We can also be reached through the contact page via this site or by email: downeasthospice@yahoo.com
An application may be downloaded by clicking the red icon:
"There are 4 kinds of people in the world.
Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers."
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~ Former First Lady
Rosalynn Carter
2025 Spring Graduates
From left to right back row: Geri Germaine from Lubec, Linda Sierra-Averitt of Jonesport, Jeanne of Eastport, Arlene Wren, long time hospice volunteer and Reiki Master, Barbara Barnett, long time hospice volunteer and Executive Director of DEHV, Lucy Case of E. Machias. Bottom Row: Brent Baranoski of Milbridge and Kim Moores of Lubec.
It's that time of year again!
Please join us for a fun day of racing with a picnic to follow for our racers.
All proceeds go to Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County.
Bulletin Board
WHAT'S NEW FOR SPRING
Down East Hospice Volunteers was represented, at the annual Polar Bear Dip in Perry by Amy Hodgson (left) long time hospice volunteer. The event was on February 28th, 2025 and had a great turnout. Amy dove into the freezing bay to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House and Sarah's House. Amy has been taking the plunge for many years. Barbara Barnett (right), Executive Director of DEHV was Amy's spotter for the event. Thank you to everyone who sponsored Amy.
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2025 Raffle Items are still available!
If you would like to win one of these items, please contact Arielle Richardson, Executive Assistant for raffle tickets.
207-454-7521 ext. 9126
Community Health and Counseling Services
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CHCS sent Down East Hospice Volunteers a letter of appreciation for the hospice's compassionate services to Washington County.
We've included a link for all to read:
Molly MacDonald of Eastport won the 2024 Down East Hospice Volunteers quilt donated by MaryAnn O'Brien of Calais.
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Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets throughout the year.
Down East Hospice Volunteers wins the Community Matters $4,000 grant award sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank.
Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County proudly accepts the grant award from Bangor Savings Bank. We want to thank everyone who voted for DEHV.
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From left to right
Front row: Judy Dakin, hospice board member and volunteer, Carol Flores, hospice board member and volunteer.
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Middle row: Linda Gralenski, hospice board member and volunteer, Maegan Alley, Assistant Branch Manager.
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Back row: Molly Sprague, VP Branch Manager, Barbara Barnett, Executive Directo of DEHV, Hospice Volunteers, Deke Talbot, Diane Clark, and Linda Mills, Dynesha Hooper, teller, Magenta Johnson, teller,
Photo: Sydney Verge, teller
HONEY BEER
FOR HOSPICE
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It's summertime and the perfect season to enjoy a
special limited-time brew created by the Lubec Brewing Co. with proceeds to benefit DEHV of Washington County. Thanks to generous people like Gale White & McKinley Jones, owners of Lubec Brewing Co., and Arlene & Mark Wren of Robbinston who provide the honey for this special beer. Left to right, Tom Barnett,
Barbara Barnett, Executive Director of DEHV, Gale White, owner of the Lubec Brewing Company.
2024 Barbecue Basket Winner!
Down East Hospice Volunteers announces the winner of a recent raffle to benefit DEHV. Rhoda Dougherty of Perry won a grill graciously donated by Johnson's Tru Value of Calais and a canvas tote of grilling goodies put together by DEHV. Thank you to all who bought raffle tickets and continue to support the wonderful organization.
A Volunteer's Comment...
From a recent volunteer commenting upon completion of her training:
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" Every class was well prepared and thought-provoking. I feel I gained invaluable knowledge about life as well as some skills I can use to be of use to others. Every adult would benefit from your class."
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~ Dawn Loper
New Hospice Volunteer
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please reach out to us. There is a lot of information about the organization and hospice volunteering on this site.
We are always available to answer your questions.
Contact: Barbara Barnett, Executive Director 207-726-5087 E-mail: barnett1749@roadrunner.com
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Beth C. Wright offers travel assistance
Online Zoom Cancer Support Group
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Down East Hospice Volunteers was honored to be recognized
on behalf of the Maine State Legislature
for their volunteer hospice services in Washington County.
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This certificate was presented to
Barbara Barnett, Executive Director of
Volunteer Services and Paul Strickland,
a board member and hospice volunteer.
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The presenters were Representative Anne Perry and
Senator Marriane Moore, both of whom have been
active supporters of DEHV.
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Caring Bridge shares 14 Life-Changing Tips to Relieve Caregiver Stress.
Please click on the PDF link to read the
e-book.
Safe Harbor Cancer Support Meetings are set up on a confidential Zoom meeting site.
Call 207-664-0335
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In-Person Bereavement Follow-Up:
Please reach out to our office: 454-7521X9126
or by email: downeasthospice@yahoo.com for more information.
On November 17th, Down East Hospice Volunteers benefited from the Lubec Brewing Company hosting an evening of music provided by LAMPS ` Lubec Area Musician Philanthropic Society. On the same evening, Gale White, owner of the Lubec Brewing Company presented Down East Hospice Volunteers with a check for $1200. This donation is from the sale of Honey Beer for Hospice which had a successful third-year run on tap at the brewery this past summer. Honey from the hives of Mark and Arlene Wren of Robbinston was delivered on the same evening for the upcoming fourth run of this delicious beer.
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Left to right:
Kurt Anderson (LAMPS), Paul Strickland, hospice volunteer and Board President of DEHV, Barbara Barnett, Executive Director of DEHV, Travis Cyr, musician extraordinaire, Arlent Wren and Mark Wren, Gale Winter, owner of the Lubec Brewing Company
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If you would like to taste the delicious Honey Beer for Hospice, Lubec Brewing will be open on Fridays from 11-5, Saturdays 11-8 pm, and Sundays from 11-5 pm
Down East Hospice Volunteers
of Washington County
is pleased to announce their
44th anniversary
of providing compassionate care to the county
For Our Caregivers
We honor the importance of talking about the end of life and encouraging all to reduce the fear and stigma the words hospice and death offer. The link below will bring you to our education page where many articles, recommended reading, videos, and podcasts are available to you without leaving this site. Additionally, Down East Hospice has a library available to their clients in our Calais office.
Please allow a few brief moments for videos to upload after clicking on the link below.
Have You Heard of The Conversation Project?
The guide for families to begin to have the conversation about End of Life wishes.
In addition to some helpful and heartfelt blogs,
they have some wonderful and informative videos on their website for you to start your
own conversation with your loved ones. An "Estate Planning for the heart."
The link below will take you directly to their page.
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You can easily become a subscriber to the DEHV Blog by providing your email
address.
You may unsubscribe at any time.
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Thank you
