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Hospice Volunteers Honored and Celebrated At Hospice Volunteer Dinner!
We had a great time at this years annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on May 16th. It was once again held at E.J Prescott’s beautiful banquet room in Gardiner, donated by owners, Peter and Stephen Prescott and Steve McCurdy.
Although it was a rainy night it didn’t dampen the spirits of the staff and Friends of Hospice who came early to decorate the tables and prepare the food for the volunteer dinner. The Banquet room was delightful.
As the Volunteers arrived they were surprised to be greeted by staff dressed as pirates and candlelit dinner tables adorned with exquisite centerpieces made of treasure chests spilling out gold coins and necklaces. The pirates and treasure chests were created by friends of Hospice, Melissa Winchester and Jean Parkin-Clunie as part of this year’s theme: “Our Volunteers are our Priceless Treasures.”
The first half hour was social time as volunteers and HealthReach Hospice Staff milled around chatting and enjoying the yummy appetizers. A delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen as new Hospice friend, Ken Payne, CFO of Maine General prepared a delicious barbecued stuffed Loin with a stir-fry of vegetables and rice. There were plenty of helpers in the kitchen made up of Hospice Friends/volunteers and HealthReach staff such as Nancy Voisine, Carla Noyse, Bev Davis, Becky Colwell, Tammy Kaplan, Mary Colwell and Don Johnson. The mood in the kitchen was cheerful and fun as all worked together to make the evening special for the volunteers.
When the dinner was ready, the hospice team made up of nurses, and medical director, Dr. Tom Keating waited on tables serving the delicious meal and desserts. They said they were honored to be part of celebrating the volunteers and had asked to be on the list of table servers. Dr. Keating later wrote: “When you think about what these volunteers do day to day for our patients and families, our taking one evening a year in no inconvenience—and in fact is a nice way to show them our appreciation of all that they do and our admiration of them as truly wonderful people. Sign me up for next year.” As the desserts were being cleared away, the award ceremony began starting with the Marcus Memorial Award presented by Laurie Bourgoin and Paul Marcus. All gave a resounding round of applause when volunteer Chris Kipp was announced the winner. Chris has been serving as a Hospice Volunteer and a Friend
of Hospice since 1995 when the organization was Hospice Volunteers of Kennebec Valley. She has served in every capacity that this organization has offered and has shown extraordinary commitment to Hospice. On one letter of recommendation for Chris someone wrote: “Chris is a caring individual with a friendly yet reserved manner. She’s always been open minded on matters which might be controversial, and strong in defense of causes in which she believes. She’s definitely the kind of person I would enjoy having in my life during rough times.” We are honored to have you on our team Chris, Congratulations!
Then the Angel Award winners were announced in recognition for hours of service: Elaine Carpentier , Mary Colwell, and Carrie Fish received angel awards for 500 hours of service with Hospice Volunteers. Robin Pirrucello was awarded an angel for 1000 hours, Dot Weeks for 1500 hours and Gail Perry for 2000 hours of service. Thank you angels!
The rest of the evening was entertainment from our talented volunteers. Long-time volunteers, Marj and Hugh Awalt sang a moving rendition of “How great thou Art.” Mary Parker played“What a beautiful World” with her acoustic guitar and Jan Burns sang two beautiful songs, “Come some rainy day” and “My angel is here”. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
To end the entertainment a surprise performance of the “Hospice Hotties” brought the house down. (See picture on bottom) This creative performance was a mixture of show tunes and rap songs cleverly re-written with words of thanks for the volunteers (some of it comical) written by Donna Jacobs and performed by the HealthReach Hospice staff.
We didn’t realize how much talent was hidden in our medical staff until they hit the stage, some of them were natural singers not to mention real hams on stage and we wondered if maybe they have a side job as entertainers, ha!
The Hospice Hotties included such stars as medical director, Tom Keating (from left) Jean Jennings, RN, Jackie Fournier, RN, Dotie Kaloust, RN, Mark Jose, social worker , Susan Hikel, Volunteer Team Coordinator, Dottie MacMaster, Bereavement Coordinator, and Donna Jacobs, Volunteer Supervisor.
The night ended with hugs and words of appreciation for each other and lots of good feelings. We hope to see more of you next year!!!!
Please call us at 626-1779
to volunteer today!
Volunteer Opportunities:
Patient Care Volunteer: Men and women of all ages from all walks of life who have completed our training program and maintain eight hours of continuing education each year there after. Can commit to four (4) hours per week to provide emotional and practical support to a client living the last phase of their life and/or their family member(s). Applicants should not have had a significant loss during the past year. Contact:
Donna Jacobs
Equipment Program Volunteer: These volunteers assist with the delivery and pick-up of durable medical equipment such as wheel chairs, commodes, shower benches, walkers, and beds. The equipment is appreciated by the client and so is the pleasant and helpful personality of the volunteer. We also need individuals who can come in to the office and clean the equipment. Contact:
Susan Hikel
Special Project Volunteer: Help out with bulk mailings, fundraising, a particular project, office work, transporting of clients to and from treatment. Contact:
Susan Hikel
Bereavement Volunteer: Must complete the hospice volunteer training. These volunteers work one-on-one with adults who are grieving the death of a loved one and who are not yet ready for group support. Contact:
Dottie Mac Master
Support Group Facilitator: Each of our grief support groups has two facilitators. Adult groups are held in both the evening and during the day. Facilitators must have received training (or have experience) in group facilitation. Contact:
Dottie Mac Master
G rieving Children & Teen Program Facilitator:
This program requires facilitators to complete our training program followed by 8 hours of continuing education each year there after. Facilitators must agree to background and motor vehicle checks. Contact:
Dottie Mac Master Grieving Children & Teen Program Greeter:
Responsible for greeting families as they arrive at the Grieving Children & Teen Program. Training program is not required. Contact:
Dottie Mac Master
Office Work: Help with filing, recording, bulk mail, copying and special office projects. Contact:
Donna Jacobs
Special Events: Help with fundraising (1 event or serve on the Fundraising/Special Events Committee), sell tickets, get sponsorships, do advertising, work the event. Contact:
Susan Hikel
Friends of Hospice: We can use your expertise and commitment in the following areas: development, marketing and public relations, fundraising, newsletter and media writing, grant writing. Contact:
Susan Hikel
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