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,
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In 2021, we will begin our 40th year of compassionate hospice volunteer care in Washington County, Maine.
Years of reaching out and touching those who need a hug, quietly holding a hand, laughing, or wiping away tears cannot be provided due to the Covid pandemic protocols.
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It is difficult for all of us and especially for our community members who need hospice care during this pandemic.
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We made the difficult decision to pull our remaining hospice volunteers out of the field in November 2020.
In-home visits have unfortunately been discontinued until we can revisit the covid issue;
we could not put our volunteers in harm's way.
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How Down East Hospice Volunteers continue to serve Washington County:
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Volunteers continue to make phone calls, send notes, and drop off goodies.
Many holiday cookies and other treats were shared with our clients over the holidays.
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Volunteers can continue to do errands for those in need so please reach out.
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The clients we serve in facilities still receive visits from outside their windows. Even birthday parties have been celebrated from outside a client's room via their window with volunteers bundling up during these colder winter days.
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One of our volunteers created a garden outside her client's window this past spring. Annuals were eventually replaced with mums. Now with winter upon us, this same volunteer continues to fill bird feeders giving her client much-needed joy.
As we enter 2021 and the beginning of our 40th year, we want to thank all of you for your continued support and your recognition of our dedicated hospice volunteers. With all our hearts, we hope we will be able to safely begin the
in-person home visits before too long.
Think about becoming a hospice volunteer here in Maine or wherever you live.
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You can stay in touch with Down East Hospice Volunteers by visiting this site,
our blog, and our Facebook page.
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Sincerely,
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Barbara Barnett/Director of Volunteer Services
Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County
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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.
2020 Hospice Volunteer Graduates
On November 6th, four community members completed a 25-hour hospice volunteer training. DEHV is state-licensed making the training classes mandatory to become a hospice volunteer. During this difficult time of the pandemic, we are unable to plan very far ahead. We hope to be able to offer another hospice volunteer training in the Spring.
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For more information about our services and how to become a hospice volunteer, please peruse this site and feel free to call us anytime at 454-7521 ext. 126 with inquiries. You can download
an application directly from the menu bar under Volunteer Training.
From left to right, Carolyn Mahar from Dennysville, Fran Mulcahy from Charlotte, Karen Kiefer from Baileysville, Jane Danforth from Machias, and Barbara Barnett, Director of Volunteer Services. Two others, Carrie Morrell and Dolly Newcomb, who were not able to complete training at this time, will do so soon.
Bulletin Board
Down East Hospice Volunteers
of Washington County
is pleased to announce their
40th anniversary
of providing compassionate care to the county
Community Bag Program
for bags purchased in March
Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County has been selected by local Hannaford store leadership as the benefiting non-profit in the Community Bag Program!
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For the month of March 2021, DEVH will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Hannaford store located at 149 Dublin Street, Machias, ME.
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What's New for February
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February 19th is National Caregiver's Day.
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Down East Hospice Volunteers is accepting new hospice referrals. Due to Covid protocol, in-home visits are not possible, but please contact us for the support that we can provide a client and their family.
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Cancer support meetings are set up on a confidential Zoom meeting site.
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Bereavement follow-up will continue to be by mail and phone - there are no in-person visits at this time.
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Amazon Smile - A charity program on Amazon where you have the opportunity to register Down East Hospice Volunteers as your charity of choice. Every order will prompt an automatic donation by Amazon to DEHV. You can support DEHV every time you shop online. Please scroll down for more information and a convenient link to sign up or change your charity preference.
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Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County
is pleased to share...dd
Maine Cancer Foundation
has awarded a grant of
$8,000 to the
Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center
to support cancer patients
living in Washington or Hancock County,
impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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These grant funds will address immediate needs
of cancer patients during
this unprecedented time.
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The Beth C. Wright Center will use $4,000 of
this grant to offer direct financial support
of up to $250
to cancer patients that can be used for food,
housing, healthcare or other costs.
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Please make referrals directly to
Beth C. Wright Center
for individuals who might benefit from this grant.
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Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center
P.O. Box 322
Ellsworth, ME 04605
(207) 664-0339
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Volunteer Hospice Care
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for our community members. All of our services are provided at no charge to the residents we serve.
2021 Raffle
Another beautiful quilt is being offered for DEHV's annual raffle.
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This exquisitely handcrafted quilt was made by the
St. Croix International quilters guild in 2002. It is hand pieced, machine pieced, and machine quilted. It was a Pembroke's Historical Society 2002 raffle. It is in pristine condition.
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What makes this quilt extra special is the labeled & signed pieces of the quilt artists. Many of whom, were well-known local artisans.
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DEHV thanks Gwen Jones of Pembroke for the generous donation for this year's raffle.
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You can own this special quilt by purchasing tickets:
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$1 for one raffle ticket and $5 for six tickets. Please call the office or send an email via this site's Contact page to buy a ticket(s).
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The raffle will be available throughout 2021.
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop AmazonSmile, you'll find the same convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
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By clicking the link on your left, you will be directed to AmazonSmile where you can choose Down East Hospice Volunteers as your preferred charity. If you are new to AmazonSmile, you can sign up on this same page.
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Our fundraising events and raffles are a major part of being able to continue servicing the county and AmazonSmile is another way where you can make a difference.
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Happy Shopping!
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