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.
In-home visits have unfortunately been discontinued until we can revisit the covid issue in the new year;
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.
Hospice volunteers are not considered essential workers at this time. When the vaccine is more readily available to anyone who wants to receive it, we will get back to making home visits.
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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Warmest wishes for 2021 that is a more peaceful year for all.
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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 is pleased to welcome our new Office Manager,
Carrie Morrell.
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Carrie will be in the office on Mondays and Thursdays
from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
and on
Friday from 12 to 5 p.m.
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We check our phone messages and emails regularly so please feel free to leave a message with your contact information and someone will call you back as soon as possible.
Honey Beer for Hospice, Lubec Brewing Co.
Read our new blog article
What's New for January
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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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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.
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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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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