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| Contributed Photo Hospice volunteers, front row, from left, Judy Chamberlain, Delores Woodman and Rosie Lavway; back row, Millie Bennett, Gwen Bragg, June Churchill, Mary Jane Sperrey, Monika Baker, Jackie Riberdy and Anita Dow, pose with a memory quilt they made for the family of a terminally ill patient. The ladies meet once a week to work on the quilts, which are given to the families free of charge. |
CARIBOU — Volunteers do not give of their time hoping for reward or recognition. They give it freely to help support, encourage and assist their neighbors, friends and complete strangers. Hospice of Aroostook, a program of Visiting Nurses of Aroostook, provided end-of-life care for nearly 200 patients and their families in 2012, and its 87 volunteers provided 2,133 hours of service in numerous capacities.
“We would not have a hospice program without our volunteers,” said Robin Haynes, HOA volunteer manager. “Medicare requires that 5 percent of all direct hospice patient care is provided by volunteers. Annually, our volunteers exceed that percentage. They are a dedicated group and committed to serving those in need.”
Volunteers are carefully matched to patients and families by geography, services needed, availability and common interests. While most HOA volunteers work directly with hospice patients and families, others choose to use their administrative gifts to help in the office and/or assist with fundraising efforts for the program.
“Our group of volunteers make memory quilts for our hospice families,” explains Hayes. “The memory quilts are free to family members and we hear over and over again how much they mean to the recipients. The volunteers meet once a week to make these beautiful quilts.”
Anyone with an interest in learning more about hospice care can view two family testimonials online at www.easternmainehomecare.org.
If there is enough interest, a volunteer training will be held in the Fort Kent area beginning in May. For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact Haynes at 498-2578.
