LEWISTON — Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice presented the Robert D. Turcotte Award to four individuals at the spring Volunteer Recognition events held in Auburn, Farmington and South Paris. The award is presented in honor of Robert Turcotte, an Auburn resident, who was treasurer of the Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice’s board of directors from 1978 until his death in 1982. Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice gives this award in acknowledgement of outstanding contributions to the promotion of home health care.

The 2012 award recipients are:

Ann Dehetre-Arsenault of Lewiston is a Hospice House greeter and special events volunteer. Dehetre-Arsenault first became involved with the agency several years ago through her former employer, bringing the Hospice Foundation of America’s annual educational teleconference to the Lewiston/Auburn area and worked with the bereavement department staff to sponsor the Survivors of Suicide teleconference.

In early 2011, Dehetre-Arsenault joined the planning committees of all AHCH major events, including the HH 5K & Remembrance Walk, Butterfly Release Celebration and Autumn Night Out, where she quickly took on leadership roles. This spring, she took the lead in organizing the Indoor Deck Party which raised more than $2,700 towards the new Hospice House sun deck.

Ann’s commitment was strengthened this past year by her personal experience at the Hospice House. She now volunteers twice a month at the Hospice House as a greeter, taking on the hard to fill Saturday night shift.

Peter van Oosten of Greene is a Hospice House greeter, hospice volunteer and videographer. In 2007, he joined the volunteers by visiting patients. In 2008, he took on more responsibility as a greeter at the Hospice House.

In 2009, van Oosten expanded his volunteer role by using his experience in videography to create videos of the first HH 5K & Remembrance Walk and the Butterfly Release Celebration. He then worked with Andrea LeBlanc, chief operating officer of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, on creating a video of the agency’s history for the roll-out of the MODEL Care project. The video included staff sharing their thoughts and memories as well as a slide show of historical and present pictures.

Michelle Monroe of Jay is a Program for Grieving Children & Teens volunteer. Ten years ago, Michelle and her family were participants in the Program for Grieving Children & Teens. In 2011, she became a trained volunteer for the program. Michelle displays a deep compassion for both children and adults coping with loss. She brings her personal experience and growth to the groups she facilitates.

Monroe has volunteered with groups in Auburn and Wilton and has stepped up to help with family intakes, volunteering as many as three days per week as well as traveling as much as 250 miles. One of the groups she facilitated was particularly challenging as some of the children had Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD. Yet, she somehow found ways to include them all, create a safe and accepting environment, and promote their healing.

Sandy Kimball of Buckfield has been a Hospice House patient support volunteer since April 2006. Since she became a volunteer, she has been volunteering at the Hospice House every Friday night providing patient support, making meals and anything else to help staff with the needs of the patients and families.

Kimball has made special connections with patients and has come in just to visit. She has sat at the bedside of dying patients and has stayed late to be sure a patient wasn’t alone. The Friday night patient support shift is not an easy one to fill but it has always been covered since she became a volunteer.

“Our volunteers are vital and highly regarded members of our hospice team. They are integral in providing compassionate care to our patients and families,” said Julie Shackley, president/CEO of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. “We are honored to recognize the leadership and commitment of these award recipients.”

For more information on Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice and its services, visit www.AHCH.org.

Copy the Story Link