In the News

1/23/12
PLEASE VOTE!   Pine Tree Hospice Community Matters More Nomination

Pine Tree Hospice is honored to be nominated as a recipient of the 2012 Bangor Savings Bank Foundation’s “Community Matters More” grant program. Grants are awarded based on voting from community members. As a nominated nonprofit, we will automatically receive $1000 and can receive up to $5000 if we are able to secure enough votes! The voting period starts January 23rd and goes through March 5th. We are going to need your help to win. Please take just a moment and vote for Pine Tree Hospice either on a paper ballot or online at Bangor Savings Bank’s website www.bangor.com/cmm. You may also access the ballot through a link on our website at www.pinetreehospice.org. It’s easy and you only need to vote once. The only requirement is that you are a Maine resident. Please pass this information on to others and encourage them to vote.

Pine Tree Hospice is proud to be one of less than 80 volunteer hospice programs in the United States. Volunteer hospices can truly “fill in the gaps” that exist when someone faces the end of life. Because our mission is to serve people with life limiting illness, we may have clients for years, versus months. This allows a unique opportunity to build lasting friendships between clients and their volunteers and provide stability and support which adds so much to each family that we serve as they experience the challenges that accompany end of life and bereavement. Pine Tree Hospice extends this support at no charge to clients and their loved ones throughout our large rural and geographic service area consisting of 39 towns throughout in Piscataquis, Penobscot, and Somerset counties.

“We are proud to receive this honor, because being nominated means that there is recognition of the support our volunteers provide to the residents of our vast service area,” says Jane Stitham. “As we receive no State, Federal or insurance funding this award would go a long way in support¬ing our programs and services. Please take a quick moment to vote and join Pine Tree Hospice in helping our friends and neighbors during a very poignant time in their lives.”
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1/10/12
Learning Opportunities in Greenville and Dover-Foxcroft

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Pine Tree Hospice volunteer? Did you know it may mean building ramps, running errands, planning events, assisting in the office or writing grants? These are just a few examples of the things that volunteers have helped us do in the last year. To introduce hospice to more people, we are hosting two separate trainings for the community. The 4 hour introduction to hospice or “Hospice 101” will be held in Greenville on January 17 from 5-9pm and in Dover Foxcroft on February 16 from 5-9pm. You need to attend only one of these sessions. We will introduce you to the concept of Hospice, what it means to be an indirect care volunteer (who has no direct client or family contact), and the many, many invaluable ways that such volunteers help Pine Tree Hospice assist our community members. After this training, you are eligible to explore direct care with families through our mentoring program if you choose.

If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, or have further questions about Pine Tree Hospice, please contact our office at 564-4346 or email wecare@pinetreehospice.org.
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11/22/11
Community Learns about Veteran Challenges at the End of Life

Pine Tree Hospice recently had the honor of hosting MS Dennis Whall, US Army (Ret), who spoke about Veterans and the challenges they face at the end of life. According to MS Whall, “What many Veterans fear is the truth about what they have had to do. They believe that if their friends and family knew these things, they would no longer love that person. And what happens when they die? Will they be forgiven?” His powerful presentation helped shed light on the challenges that are unique to Veterans as they face the end of their lives.

“The end of life can be different for Veterans, because their coping skills start to fall away. The things that they’ve repressed for so long can begin to resurface, and family may not know how to handle it. We’re hopeful that this evening was helpful for friends, caregivers, and family to be aware, and perhaps more prepared, for those challenges.” says Amy Madigan-Dube, Coordinator of Volunteers and Client Services.

Pine Tree Hospice is interested in reaching more veterans – both those who could benefit from services, as well as those who may be interested in becoming a volunteer to support Veterans who are at the end of life. “It’s a camaraderie that individuals who haven’t served in the military will never fully understand, but we can honor this bond by bringing dying veterans someone who really understands them and their experiences.” says Madigan-Dube.

If you would like to learn more about the services that Pine Tree Hospice provides, or would like to discuss the opportunities for volunteering that exist, please call 564-4346 or email wecare@pinetreehospice.org
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11/18/11
Pine Tree Hospice presents 'Firsts: Coping with Grief During the Holidays’ Workshop

Pine Tree Hospice is pleased to offer its sixth workshop in a series of free once-a-month programs for adults who are adjusting to new roles following the death of a loved one. The theme for the workshop is “Firsts” and it will focus on coping with grief during the holidays. It is open to anyone who has suffered a loss, but is geared towards those who are facing the holidays without their loved one for the first time. The program will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13th at the Congregational Church in Dover-Foxcroft. The day will include time to talk and share over a light lunch as well as a facilitated discussion about strategies for coping with holiday grief. The group will also spend some time in the kitchen learning how to make some simple foods to share at holiday events.

Starting in January 2012, Pine Tree Hospice will offer three new workshops themed “Beat the Winter Blues” Specific topics for the new series will be announced later this year. The dates for the programs are Tuesday, January 17th, Tuesday, February 21st, and Tuesday, March 20th and they will also be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All Pine Tree Hospice Adult Workshops are free, but pre-registration is appreciated. To pre-register or for more information, contact Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346 or by e-mail at wecare@pinetreehospice.org.
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10/20/11
Veteran’s End of Life Challenges to be Addressed in Dover-Foxcroft

In honor of Veteran’s Day, MSG Dennis Whall, US Army (Ret), a veteran and Hospice volunteer, will present “The Final Battle: Helping Veterans at the End of Life with Strength and Dignity.” This moving presentation will discuss Veterans’ challenges of the end of life, and how their experiences are unique. Please join us to learn how to help veterans face their “Final Battle” with strength and dignity through understanding their past and current challenges. We encourage veterans, family members, providers and community members to attend this poignant presentation to be held on November 15th at 6:30pm at the Charlotte White Center Administration building, 572 Bangor Road, Dover Foxcroft. Refreshments will be served following the event. For questions or more information, please call Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346. Please RSVP by November 11 by calling 564-4346 or emailing  wecare@pinetreehospice.org.

This presentation is part of Pine Tree Hospice’s “Caring for the Caregiver” series.
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10/11/11
Community Gathering of Remembrance and Celebration

Balloons will again fly skyward on Sunday, November 6th as Pine Tree Hospice and Community Health and Counseling Services join together for a Community Gathering of Remembrance and Celebration. All families and friends are invited to celebrate the lives of those that they have lost, whether recently or in the past. Through a variety of ways, the afternoon will provide the opportunity to remember and honor someone who has deeply touched our lives. Activities will be provided for all ages. Along with these special activities we will have music and refreshments. The conclusion of this meaningful event will be an environmentally friendly balloon launch where family members and friends may decorate their balloon and attach written notes of love and remembrance. We encourage community members of all ages to join us. The celebration will be held from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Charlotte White Center located at 572 Bangor Road in Dover-Foxcroft. Please mark your calendars for this very special afternoon. For more information or to RSVP to the event, please call Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346 or e-mail us at wecare@pinetreehospice.org.
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