DOWN EAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS
OF Washington COUNTY
43 years of Compassionate Care
207-454-7521 EXT. 9126
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,
As we approach the coming holidays, Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County, Maine hopes that you will remember others. The New Year is not far off and when you reach out with kind words and caring actions to those who may need your help in your communities, you have given a gift that has no price tag.
Our dedicated hospice volunteers will continue providing compassionate care throughout the holidays, spending time with hospice clients and their caregivers.
Consider becoming a hospice volunteer with Down East Hospice Volunteers in Washington County, Maine, or where you live. Local volunteer hospices need people like you and you will make a difference.
We want to thank our local community and those afar, for the continued support you have given to us during what are complicated times. I want to thank all the hospice volunteers in our organization and around the world who give their time and ask for nothing in return. You are the heart of every volunteer hospice organization.
Barbara Barnett / Executive Director of Volunteer Services
Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County, Maine
Celebrating 42 years of compassionate care.
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.
2023 Hospice Volunteer Training
"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
2023 Spring Graduates
From left to right, Jeanne Schrumpf, new hospice volunteer from Robbinston, Arlene Wren, long time active hospice volunteer and Reiki Master, Carol Flores, new hospice volunteer and Board member from Whitneyville, Barbara Barnett, Executive Director of volunteer services, Linda Mills, new hospice volunteer from Machias. Front - Travis Brennan, new hospice volunteer from Edmunds.
​
Down East Hospice Volunteers is proud to have graduated four new volunteers
who completed a 25-hour training.
​
Congratulations to the graduates of the hospice volunteer training.
Each participant brought a unique approach to caring for those at end of life.
DEHV is proud to welcome these compassionate, caring members of the community on board
as fully trained hospice volunteers.
​
The venue was graciously provided to us on the campus of Down East Community Hospital.
​
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 red icon:
Dust off your sneakers.
It's Race Time!
Please click on the links to visit the race page and to sign up:
​
​
​
​
Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County will host our 32nd Anniversary Cobscook Bay Race. We have a 10k/5k event for runners & walkers and a mile Fun Run for children 10 years old and under.
​
There will be three options to participate in for this event. Virtually, in person on the marked run at any time and on the day of the race.
June 2, 2024, in Pembroke.
​
Please consider becoming a sponsor or continuing as a sponsor for this event. Even if you are not planning to be a sponsor for this year's event, please join us for a great day. There will be a potluck picnic at the finish line at Reversing Falls Park in Pembroke.
Bring along a dish of something delicious to share.
​
Deadline to receive your donation for t-shirt acknowledgment
is May 1st, 2024.
​
If your donation comes in after May 1st, we are sorry, but we will not be able to get your acknowledgment printed on our
commemorative t-shirts.
​
Your acknowledgment can be just your name or you can add it in honor of or in memory. No political statements ~ thank you.
*Be very clear as to what you want your acknowledgment to say when you send your donation.
​
Sponsor categories to be printed on the t-shirt:
Bronze: $100 - $249 Silver: $250-$499 Gold: $500-$999
Platinum: $1,000+
​
Please make your donation check out to: Down East Hospice Volunteers-
Race 2024
​
Mail to: Down East Hospice Volunteers, 27 Hospital Lane,
Calais, ME 04619. Att: Race 2024
​
We look forward to seeing you there and thank you from all of us at Down East Hospice Volunteers / Any donation will be greatly appreciated.
Bulletin Board
WHAT'S NEW FOR SPRING
Caring Bridge shares 14 Life-Changing Tips to Relieve Caregiver Stress.
Please click on the PDF link to read the
e-book.
Safe Harbor Cancer Support Meetings are set up on a confidential Zoom meeting site.
Call 207-664-0335
​
In-Person Bereavement Follow-Up:
Please reach out to our office: 454-7521X9126
or by email: downeasthospice@yahoo.com for more information.
A Volunteer's Comment...
From a recent volunteer 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
​
Beth C. Wright offers travel assistance
Online Zoom Cancer Support Group
.jpg)
2023 Raffle Quilt Winner!
Mary Ann O'Brien of Calais won the Ohio Star quilt raffle for 2023.
​
The quilt was created and donated by Brenda Lang of Skowhegan. Ginny Sirois of Norridgewock did the finished quilting. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a successful fundraising event.
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.
​
​
​
​
On November 17th, Down East Hospice Volunteers benefited from the Lubec Brewing Company hosting an evening of music provided by LAMPS ` Lubec Area Musician Philanthropic Society. On the same evening, Gale White, owner of the Lubec Brewing Company presented Down East Hospice Volunteers with a check for $1200. This donation is from the sale of Honey Beer for Hospice which had a successful third-year run on tap at the brewery this past summer. Honey from the hives of Mark and Arlene Wren of Robbinston was delivered on the same evening for the upcoming fourth run of this delicious beer.
​
Left to right:
Kurt Anderson (LAMPS), Paul Strickland, hospice volunteer and Board President of DEHV, Barbara Barnett, Executive Director of DEHV, Travis Cyr, musician extraordinaire, Arlent Wren and Mark Wren, Gale Winter, owner of the Lubec Brewing Company
​
L
If you would like to taste the delicious Honey Beer for Hospice, Lubec Brewing will be open on Fridays from 11-5, Saturdays 11-8 pm, and Sundays from 11-5 pm
Down East Hospice Volunteers
of Washington County
is pleased to announce their
43rd anniversary
of providing compassionate care to the county
For Our Caregivers
We honor the importance of talking about the end of life and encouraging all to reduce the fear and stigma the words hospice and death offer. The link below will bring you to our education page where many articles, recommended reading, videos, and podcasts are available to you without leaving this site. Additionally, Down East Hospice has a library available to their clients in our Calais office.
Please allow a few brief moments for videos to upload after clicking on the link below.
Have You Heard of The Conversation Project?
The guide for families to begin to have the conversation about End of Life wishes.
In addition to some helpful and heartfelt blogs,
they have some wonderful and informative videos on their website for you to start your
own conversation with your loved ones. An "Estate Planning for the heart."
The link below will take you directly to their page.
​
You can easily become a subscriber to the DEHV Blog by providing your email
address.
You may unsubscribe at any time.
​
Thank you