DOWN EAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS
OF Washington COUNTY
207-454-7521 EXT. 126
40 years of Compassionate Care
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,
In February of 2021, twenty of our dedicated hospice volunteers were vaccinated under the 1A section of the CDC guidelines. Both hospitals in Washington County, Down East Community Hospital and Calais Regional Hospital, provided the clinics where our volunteers received their 2 doses of the covid vaccine.
In late March of this year, Down East Hospice Volunteers began accepting new referrals for hospice care. Our dedicated volunteers have begun making home visits once again. We continue to follow strict covid CDC safety guidelines. As the year progresses, we will continue to monitor CDC guidelines and consider the safety of both our hospice clients and our volunteer paramount.
We want to thank our local community, and those afar, for the continued support you have given to us during these difficult times.
Barbara Barnett / Executive Director of Volunteer Services
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.
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.
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.
Call us today to become a hospice volunteer, it is a rewarding experience.
Bulletin Board
Down East Hospice Volunteers recently completed their bi-annual volunteer training, held at the Calais Regional Hospital. It was a wonderful group of women with one commenting upon completion of her training:
" 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."
~ 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
What's New for November
It is National Hospice Month
2021 Annual Roque Island Tour - We have a winner!
Quilt Raffle - There is still time to purchase tickets. See below.
Down East Hospice Volunteers was presented with a legislative sentiment on behalf of the Maine State Legislature for their 40 years of providing compassionate care and companionship to the terminally ill in Washington County.
DEHV Calendars are back! See the beautiful images in our 2022 calendars - the perfect holiday gift! See below.
Cancer support meetings are set up on a confidential Zoom meeting site. Please call our office for dates and times.
207-454-7521 ext. 126
Bereavement follow-up will continue to be by mail and phone - there are no in-person visits at this time.
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.
Down East Hospice Volunteers was honored to be recognized
on behalf of the Maine State Legislature
for their volunteer hospice services in Washington County.
This certificate was presented to
Barbara Barnett, Executive Director of
Volunteer Services and Paul Strickland,
a board member and hospice volunteer.
The presenters were Representative Anne Perry and
Senator Marriane Moore, both of whom have been
active supporters of DEHV.
Lubec Brewing Company & The Wrens
This is the 2nd year that owners Gale White and McGinley Jones have created "Honey Beer for Hospice" with the generous donation of the hops and honey from Mark and Arlene Wren of Robbinston.
Twelve kegs were brewed and each time a keg was tapped, $100 was put aside for DEHV. The Lubec Brewing Company is planning to brew a third batch of this delicious beer with hops and honey donated by the Wrens to benefit DEHV in 2022.
Volunteer Hospice Care
for our community members. All of our services are provided at no charge to the residents we serve.
Down East Hospice Volunteers
of Washington County
is pleased to announce their
40th anniversary
of providing compassionate care to the county
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"Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It's simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of 'You're not alone.'"
Brené Brown
2021 Raffle-There's still time!
Another beautiful quilt is being offered for DEHV's annual raffle.
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.
What makes this quilt extra special are the labeled & signed pieces of the quilt artists. Many of whom, were well-known local artisans.
DEHV thanks an anonymous donor for this year's raffle.
You can own this special quilt by purchasing tickets:
$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).
The raffle will be available throughout 2021.
2022 Calendars Are Here - Perfect Holiday Gifts
Down East Hospice Volunteer's
2022 Annual Calendar
is now available!
This year's theme is the Wildlife of Down East Maine
photographed by Woody Gillies, president of Fundy Audubon, a local chapter of Maine Audubon. He
graciously provided the images for this year's
fundraising calendar.
This year's calendar has been sought after to the
extent a second printing run was required!
You can find some copies at local shops or call
DEHV executive assistant, Jeanne, at our Calais
office; 207-454-7521 ext. 126
A calendar is $10 with a shipping fee of $3.00
For Our Caregivers
2021 Hospice Volunteer Training
Down East Hospice Volunteers is proud to have graduated three new volunteers
who completed a 25-hour training.
The venue was graciously provided to us on the campus of Calais Regional Hospital in Calais.
DEHV holds two training sessions a year and we are available for questions at any time should you be interested in finding out more about becoming a hospice volunteer.
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 link below:
"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."
~ Former First Lady
Rosalynn Carter
2021 Fall Graduates
From left to right, Dawn Loper of Perry, Arlene Wren, long-time active volunteer, Fran McLean of Eastport, Linda Gralenski, long-time volunteer and board member, and Barbara Barnett, Executive Director of Volunteer Services and active volunteer, Nancy Kirkbride of Pembroke.
More Ways to Help DEHV
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.
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.
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.
Happy Shopping!
