Messenger June 2010

June 2010: In This Issue

Message from the CEO

Ways to Volunteer

Volunteer Training

Summer School

Announcements

Message from the CEO

We appreciate your contributions to our very important mission and your role in making others aware of the ways we can help.

Many in the community come to us with questions about how we may be able to care for them or a loved one. This is an ongoing opportunity to share our message of hope and increase awareness of our services.

As one very good example, a volunteer told us that she went to visit a neighbor and found her in tears. "Tom (her husband) needs help," she said. "I know you volunteer with Hope Hospice. He doesn't need that kind of help, but he can't get around like he used to. I just can't do it all anymore." The volunteer told her neighbor about Hope Select Care. The couple has regained their quality of life.

Please continue to keep in mind that anyone - family members, friends, physicians, clergy and our own volunteers -- can let people know about our services and help them inquire about the ways to access care. The process begins by calling (239) 482-4673 or (800) 835-1673.

As we have added new programs of care, serving more people, the number of Hope volunteers has continued to grow. However, we think of our volunteers in terms of the quality of your work - your commitment and compassion -- as you give a hand to our staff members, give your heart to those in our care, and share Hope with the community.

Thank you, volunteers, for all that you do.

PS: To those of you who are away for the summer, we look forward to your return!

- Samira K. Beckwith
Hope President and CEO

Ways to Volunteer

Lakeland - Cookie Baker needed in the office to bake the Otis Spunkmeyer cookies. Cookies are easy to bake and package. Please contact Amy Souza if you can assist.

Lakeland - Lawn Assistance needed. Great teen opportunity. Some of our patients are no longer able to care for their lawns and do not always have the funds to pay someone. Lawn assistance can really help a struggling family. Please consider helping. - contact Amy Souza for more information.

North Fort Myers Community Center - 3-4 Volunteers are needed to help with computer work in the Volunteer office, 2-4 hours weekly. If interested, please contact Colette Johns or David Kowalski

Cape - Volunteer/s needed to assist with filing on Mondays in the health Information Management Department. If you have time on Mondays to help, please call Nina Tomasello.

Cape - Help is needed in the kitchen for the following times:
Lunch 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Mondays or Tuesdays
Dinner 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Call Nina Tomasello to schedule a shift or for more information.

Fort Myers HealthPark - Bridge player needed, any afternoon, at Hospice House. Contact Lynnan if you are interested.

Pet Evaluators - All areas. Are you currently a Pet Visitation volunteer? If you have at least six months' experience and would like to assist Hope in evaluating pets to become Pet Visitation Volunteers, please contact your volunteer specialist for more information.

Fort Myers - Winkler Office - Weekly office help is needed. Days and times are flexible. Assistance is needed with basic office tasks and computer work. Training is provided. Contact Lynnan if interested.

Lee County - The Facilities Team needs visiting volunteers. Volunteers visit one day a week for a couple of hours. A list of patients is provided. Please contact David Kowalski if you have a couple of hours to spare each week. Facilities in need of visitors, especially in the summer, are:
Springwood Court
Pondella Serenity
Heritage Park
Calusa Harbour
Emeritus of Ft. Myers

Lee County - Pet visit volunteers are needed. Would you like to bring your dog or cat to visit? Those fuzzy faces are so well received. Please call David Kowalski if you can help at any of these facilities:
Emeritus of Ft. Myers
Lehigh Health and Rehab
Calusa Harbour

New Volunteer Training

Please 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:

Sebring
Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Joanne's House Community Room
Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Cape Coral Community Room
Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Hope Chest Training
Thursday, July 15, 2010

HealthPark Community Room
Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Hope Chest Training
Thursday, August 12, 2010

Lehigh Acres Community Room
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Hope Chest Training
Thursday, September 02, 2010

Cape Coral Community Room
Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Hope Chest Training
Thursday, October 07, 2010

HealthPark Community Room
Saturday, October 16, 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.

"Summer School" Changes Format

Southwest Florida
Our summer school is taking on a new format!
Lee, Hendry and Glades Volunteers are invited to the (First) Hope Volunteer Information Fairs:
(Don't miss the ice cream! )

Fort Myers: July 14, 2010
Bonita Springs: July 21, 2010
Lehigh Acres: July 22, 2010
Cape Coral: July 28, 2010

All Informational Fairs are from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Bring a friend! Door prizes will be given. Call your volunteer specialist to let us know you are coming. (We want to ensure we have enough ice cream for everyone!)

Mid-Florida Ice Cream Summer School
Class 1 - "Afterthoughts: What happens after a patient dies?"
Hope Memorial Support Counselor, Bob Sheehan, will discuss planning a memorial service or funeral. He'll talk about what a family can expect as they work through final arrangements, as well as how Hope volunteers can assist a family after a love one's death.

Class 2 - "Infection Control - To Touch or Not To Touch...That is the question."
The basics of infection control will be discussed, including proper handwashing technique, proper gloving procedures, disposal of contaminated items, and general prevention techniques.

Then, we'll enjoy ice cream!

Sebring
July 16, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Lakeland
July 16, 2010
1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Bring a friend... this is good information that everyone can use. There will be a few door prizes too! Please call Amy Souza or Allison Lao to confirm you are coming.

Announcements

Congratulations to Morgan Beebe, student volunteer with Hope. Morgan won Best Supporting Actress at the High School Musical Awards for her role in the Fort Myers High School production of Sweeny Todd. She has been a volunteer since June 09. Way to go!

Goodbye to Courtney Quirie

We say goodbye to Volunteer Manager Courtney Quirie. Courtney and her family have relocated out of the area.

Summer Volunteer Ideas

Summer offers a great time to enjoy the outdoors and try something different. While reading a recent article about summer activities and safety, it occurred to us that these activities could be enjoyed with patients in our care as well as ourselves. Here are a few ideas for summer to explore:

Consider helping a patient write a letter for the summer. For those who prefer online communications, send the letter in an e-mail.
Trim back shrubs and bushes near your home or around sidewalks and curbsides.
Recruit or help those in need of assistance to perk up their homes and yards.
Offer to drive a patient or their family member to a recreational activity at a local park or community center.
Hold a Pet Parade inside a nursing home or hospice house to bring patients out of their room and families together.
Share your talents with other Hope volunteers by teaching a class this summer.
Share your talent with a one-time activity or performance at the Hope Health Center, Hospice Houses or local nursing facilities.

Reference: "A Dozen Ways to Safer Summer Neighborhoods", Jean O'Neil, National Crime Prevention Council

Subscribe!

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.

Volunteer Educator
Joe Pardi
9470 Healthpark Circle
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 489-9180 Direct
(239) 482-3380 Fax

Hope Chest
Jane Davis
13821 N Cleveland Ave
N Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 652-1114 Phone
(239) 985-7715 Fax

Nursing Homes &
Assisted Living
David Kowalski
13821 N Cleveland Ave
N Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 985-7701 Direct
(239) 652-9211 Fax

Ft Myers, Beaches Home Teams, Shell Point
Barbara Tvedt
9470 Healthpark Circle
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 985-7722 Direct
(239) 482-3380 Fax

North Cape, Downtown FM, NFM Home Team
Colette Johns
13821 N Cleveland Ave
N Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 985-7728 Direct

(239) 652-9211 Fax

Students, Community Service Programs and Hospice House HealthPark
Lynnan Grissinger
9470 Healthpark Circle
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 489-9181 Direct
(239) 482-3380 Fax

Cape Coral Area
Nina Tomasello
2430 Diplomat Pkwy E
Cape Coral, FL 33909
(239) 656-3240 Direct
(239) 574-6417 Fax

Bonita Springs Area
Barbara Nielsen
27200 Imperial Pkwy
Bonita, FL 34135
(239) 444-4140 Direct
(239) 444-1111 Fax

Lehigh Area, Hendry & Glades
Jean Best
1201 Wings Way
Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
(239) 415-7217 Direct
(863) 382-0312 Other
(239) 368-2141 Fax

Polk County
Amy Souza
1525 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 370-7017 Direct
(863) 688-4717 Fax

Highlands and Hardee Counties
Allison Lao
4840 Sun N Lake Blvd.
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 382-7004 Direct
(863) 382- 0359 Fax

TB Tests

Please remember to call (239) 322-5341 or
(800) 835-1673 ext 25341 to schedule
a TB Test.

Hope Volunteer Wear

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.

Get Connected

Hope HealthCare Services now has a Facebook page! Become a fan and find out about upcoming events, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities.

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