| Message from the CEO |
In just a few weeks, our newest Hope Hospice House will open its doors to everyone in need of our care. We are excited!
The new house in Lehigh Acres will provide in-patient hospice services to residents of the surrounding communities including Alva, the Gateway community, Pelican Preserve, Buckingham, LaBelle and all other communities in Hendry and Glades counties.
In addition to the 24 patient care suites, family rooms, bereavement counseling offices and other amenities, the Hope Hospice House will include an Adult Day Health Center, offering Hope Select Care, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
It is a welcome addition to the patient care we currently provide at our three other Hope Hospice Houses and the Shell Point Retirement Community in Lee County, Hope at Highlands Regional in Sebring, as well as in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals throughout our service area. Most people in our care reside in the place they call home.
As you know, hospice is not a place. It is the loving care that we provide to those in life's final chapter, and their families. Hospice, along with all of our other programs, is about quality of life.
Whether you as volunteers work directly with the people in our care or in our offices, you are helping to ensure that others have the quality of life they need. Every day, people in the community reach out to express their gratitude.
I join them in thanking you for all that you do.
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Open House: You Are Invited!
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Hope Hospice House in Lehigh Acres
Hope Volunteers are invited to a Volunteer Open House
on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. There will be a presentation at
11:00 a.m. for volunteers interested in working at Hospice House.
Please bring friends with you. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Swine Flu Vaccine Available
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H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine is available to volunteers. Vaccinations will be given on a first come, first serve basis. Please call (239) 322-5341. This is the NEW PHONE NUMBER in the Occupational Health Office.
(Please do not call the old number.) To call toll-free, dial (800) 835-1673 ext 25341.
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| Ways to Volunteer |
Fort Myers HealthPark Office: Volunteers are needed at the front desk to greet and direct visitors in our home office. We need volunteers on Fridays. Shifts are 3 hours each and training is provided. Please contact Barbara Tvedt if you are interested.
Lakeland: Volunteer needed to bake cookies once a week at the office. We provide the frozen dough and the oven. Day and time is flexible. Please contact Amy Souza if interested.
Polk and Highlands Counties: Special Event and Health Fair Volunteers needed in Polk and Highlands counties. Responsibilities include picking up display materials, manning a table or booth, and returning materials to the office. While at the table, volunteers may be asked about volunteering, hospice care, or Hope in general. Education will be provided. If you are outgoing and enjoy meeting people, please call Amy or Allison to sign up.
Lakeland: Do you know calligraphy or have very nice handwriting? We could use your help writing certificates for new volunteer orientation. This on call job can be done at home or in the office. Please call Amy if you are interested.
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Norman Love Confections Benefit Hope
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Provide 'Sweet Comfort' and support Hope's missionNorman Love Confections is supporting Hope Hospice and the community through the sale of their world-class confections. Norman Love will generously give Hope 5 percent of all sales revenues originating from the Hope Web site. When we give special treats, it is a way to express our love and caring, and let others know how special they are to us. Chocolate can evoke some of life's most precious memories such as holidays and times of sharing - and for many, chocolate can certainly add quality to life. Visit hope.normanlove.com to find the perfect gift of comfort - and don't forget to buy some for yourself!Care and comfort is the focus of all we do at Hope. With Norman Love Confections, our focus is now a bit 'sweeter.'
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Courtney's Corner
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Q: I love volunteering but I do not like the paperwork, especially progress notes. Most times, I just help out and don't worry about reporting the time. At the luncheons you recognized volunteers for their time. Why is that so important?
A: Time tells the volunteer story and equals better patient care and organizational support. If you do not report your time, your activity never happened. Without proof (your reporting) we can't say we did anything. Hope is required to document and report your hours to state and national agencies. Your hours illustrate support to our patients, cost savings to Hope, and community involvement. We cite hours for many things, including: grant writing, sharing accomplishments with the community, documenting patient support provided, recognizing volunteers, and meeting a national Medicare requirement.
If you are looking for ways to make progress notes easier, please check in with your volunteer specialist. They may have some suggestions.
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| Continuing Education |
Falls Prevention
This workshop will help you identify the risk factors for falls and how to help your patient to recover from a fall. This hands-on workshop will help you understand your own risk of falls and to avoid becoming a fall statistic.
Hope HealthPark Office
Friday, March 19, 2010
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Hope Hospice House Cape Coral
Friday, March 19, 2010
1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Joanne's House Community Room, Bonita Springs
April 12, 2010
9:00 to 10:30 p.m.
Lehigh Hospice House Community Room, Lehigh Acres
April 12, 2010
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Patient Feeding Class
Volunteers are needed to assist in feeding patients in our hospice houses. It is important to understand how and when we assist patients with eating. Volunteers should be patient, social, and available during meal times.
Joanne's House Community Room, Bonita Springs
March 18, 2010
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Memorial Service Volunteer Program*
Volunteers are needed for the Memorial Service Program to support the Chaplain or Memorial Support Counselor and coordinate activities for the services. Volunteers in this program will act as a Hope Host to the friends and family of our patients at a memorial services in Hope's Chapels. Volunteers will work with family and the chaplain to ensure a meaningful service for our guests.
Cape Coral Community Room
March 19, 2010
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
11th Hour Volunteer Program
Sitting with a patient during the last hours of life is a privilege and the utmost sign of respect. When a patient does not have family present, or the family is exhausted or uncomfortable being alone when their loved one dies, an 11th Hour volunteer can be a tremendous help. These special volunteers are usually called to a nursing home, assisted living facility, private home or a hospice house when a patient has 24-48 hours to live. The hours and days vary depending on need. If you would like to be on the list to help, you will need to attend a special, two-hour class.
Sebring Office
April 21, 2010
9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Lakeland Office
April 21, 2010
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Depending on class size in Sebring and Lakeland, we may need to move to a different meeting room. We will advise you of final location prior to class.
For all Volunteer Continuing Education Classes, please contact your Volunteer Specialist to reserve a seat.
New Volunteer Orientation OpportunitiesPlease let your friends and family know about the upcoming volunteer orientation schedule. We continue to need patient support and transportation volunteers in all Hope service areas. Classes are as follows: Fort Myers - March 13, 2010 Hope Chest - April 9, 2010 and May 7, 2010 Cape Coral - April 14, 2010 Lehigh Acres - April 22, 2010 (in the new Lehigh House!) Shell Point - May 20, 2010 If you know someone who is interested in volunteering, please have them contact Joe Pardi or visit http://www.hopehcs.org/volunteer to complete a volunteer application. |
| Special Events |
Tour Downtown Fort Myers
Discover the legends, lore and rivalry that built Fort Myers on a leisurely guided stroll through the River District of Fort Myers. $5.00 per person, must be paid in advance, no refunds once fee is paid. Please RSVP to your volunteer specialist. $5 payment must be received to confirm your spot.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Please arrive by 9:45 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. tour
Tour is a 1.5 hour walking tour
Location: Southwest Florida Museum of History, located at 2031 Jackson Street, in downtown Ft. Myers.
Join us for lunch after the tour "Dutch Treat" at the Oasis Restaurant. Space is limited!
Zumba Hope with Jessenia and Victor
Join us for a Zumba Hope class you won't forget. "Zumba" is a fusion of Latin and International music that creates a dynamic,
exciting, and effective fitness system. Your donation is your admission to this one-of-a-kind class for a great cause. The minimum donation is $10; proceeds will benefit Hope Hospice. For more information, please email zumbawithjessenia@hotmail.com or zumbawithvictor@hotmail.com.
Cape Coral Community Room
Saturday, March 27
1:00 - 3:00 PM
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Volunteers and Taxes
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Volunteers provide an amazing service to our country, our community, and our neighbors. The federal government has long recognized the impact of volunteers in our communities. The IRS allows volunteers to deduct expenses related to volunteering on their annual income taxes.
According to the IRS, Publication 526, Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Giving Services, "Although you cannot deduct the value of your services given to a qualified organization, you may be able to deduct some amounts you pay in giving services to a qualified organization."
The amounts must be: - Unreimbursed,
- Directly connected with the services,
- Expenses you had only because of the services you gave, and
- Not personal, living, or family expenses.
While you can not deduct the value of your time, you can claim unreimbursed expenses related to your volunteering. Mileage for example, is reimbursed at a rate of $.14 per mile. Your volunteer specialist can give you a print out of your mileage for the past year. Here is some information from the IRS website. You can learn more at www.IRS.gov/publications/p526.
Question: I do volunteer work 6 hours
a week in the office of a qualified organization. The receptionist is paid $6
an hour to do the same work I do. Can I deduct $36 a week for my time?
Answer: No, you cannot deduct the
value of your time or services.
Question: The office is 30 miles from
my home. Can I deduct any of my car expenses for these trips?
Answer: Yes, you can deduct the
costs of gas and oil that are directly related to getting to and from the place where you are a volunteer. If you do not want to figure your actual costs, you can deduct 14 cents for each
mile.
Car expenses. You can deduct unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, such as the
cost of gas and oil, that are directly related to the use of your car in giving
services to a charitable organization. You cannot deduct general repair and
maintenance expenses, depreciation, registration fees, or the costs of tires or
insurance.
If you do not want to deduct your
actual expenses, you can use a standard mileage rate of 14 cents a mile to
figure your contribution. You can deduct parking fees and tolls, whether you
use your actual expenses or the standard mileage rate. You must keep reliable
written records of your car expenses.
Remember for all reporting, you should
always keep a record of your expenses. If you have questions regarding
deductions we recommend that you consult with a Certified Public Account or Tax
Specialist.
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Thank You Again!
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Thank you to everyone who so
graciously volunteers their time and talents with Hope. We enjoyed seeing
everyone at the luncheons this year and look forward to working with you this
year! If you were not able to attend and did not get your appreciation gift,
please check in with your volunteer specialist. We have some beautiful aqua
colored plush towels for you.
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Subscribe!
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Subscribe to the Messenger volunteer newsletter by emailing Courtney Quirie.
If you have recently added an e-mail address or changed your e-mail address, please contact your volunteer specialist.
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Contact Us
Department DirectorCourtney Quirie9470 Healthpark Circle Fort Myers, FL 33908 (239) 433-8069 Direct (239) 482-3380 Fax Volunteer TrainerJoe Pardi9470 Healthpark Circle Fort Myers, FL 33908 (239) 489-9180 Direct (239) 482-3380 Fax Hope ChestJane Davis13821 N Cleveland Ave N Fort Myers, FL 33903 (239) 652-1114 Phone (239) 985-7715 Fax Cape-NFM Facilities David Kowalski 13821 N Cleveland Ave N Fort Myers, FL 33903 (239) 985-7701 Direct (239) 652-9211 Fax Ft Myers, Lehigh and South Lee FacilitiesBarbara Tvedt 9470 Healthpark Circle Fort Myers, FL 33908 (239) 985-7722 Direct (239) 482-3380 Fax North Cape, Downtown FM, NFM Home Team
Colette Johns13821 N Cleveland Ave N Fort Myers, FL 33903 (239) 985-7728 Direct
(239) 652-9211 Fax Ft Myers area, BeachesLynnan Grissinger9470 Healthpark Circle Fort Myers, FL 33908 (239) 489-9181 Direct (239) 482-3380 Fax Cape Coral AreaNina Tomasello2430 Diplomat Pkwy E Cape Coral, FL 33909 (239) 656-3240 Direct (239) 574-6417 Fax Bonita Springs AreaBarbara Nielsen27200 Imperial Pkwy Bonita, FL 34135 (239) 444-4140 Direct (239) 444-1111 Fax Lehigh Area, Hendry & GladesJean Best25 Homestead Rd N#35 Lehigh Acres, FL 33936 (239) 415-7217 Direct (863) 382-0312 Other (239) 368-2141 Fax Polk CountyAmy Souza1525 Lakeland Hills Blvd Lakeland, FL 33805 (863) 370-7017 Direct (863) 688-4717 Fax Highlands and Hardee CountiesAllison Lao4840 Sun N Lake Blvd. Sebring, FL 33872 (863) 382-7004 Direct (863) 382- 0359 Fax |
TB Tests
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Please remember to call (239) 322-5341 or
(800) 835-1673 ext 25341 to schedule
a TB Test.
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| Hope Volunteer Wear |
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Hope has partnered with Land's End to provide top quality, branded clothing for you. Click on the image above to visit the site where you can purchase official Hope Volunteer Wear. |
Wings of Hope Newsletter
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Read our new Wings of Hope Newsletter. You will have to complete
a short registration form online to access the magazine. After you sign up, you will continue to
receive a new copy, by e-mail, three times a year. You can cancel the subscription at any
time. |
Donate to Hope
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| To donate to Hope online, please visit hopehcs.org/donate or call our main line. |
Get Connected
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Hope HealthCare Services now has a Facebook
page! Become a fan and find out about
upcoming events, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities. |
Visit Our Website
Call Our Main Office
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www.hopehcs.org
(239) 482-4673
(800) 835-1673 |
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