Messenger
June/July 2012: Message from the CEO
SKB at Desk

Samira K. Beckwith

President and CEO

 

Have you ever received a gift so profoundly thoughtful and meaningful that you just couldn't hold back the tears of joy? I recently had that experience, when I was presented with a beautifully crafted collection of personal stories by you, the Hope volunteers.

Given in recognition of my twenty years with the organization, "Volunteer Stories" captures your special day-to-day Moments of Hope with those in our care. It is a deeply moving illustration of putting your love into action to help others, and feeling the love returned.

This is a gift I will always cherish, and we at Hope want to share the joy. In this edition of the Hope Messenger, you'll find information about obtaining your own copy of this precious work.

Thank you, volunteers, for the gift and for all that you do!

Ways to Volunteer

Bereavement Callers

Each month our volunteers make over 400 follow up calls to Hope families who have lost a loved one. We need your help. Calls may be made from any location, including your own home. If you prefer to volunteer on weekends or want to continue your service with Hope from your summer home, this might be the perfect opportunity for you. Call Joan Wyckoff.

Dance Instructor Needed

Work with a professional instructor to demonstrate dance movements to the participants in the Hope Parkinson Program. Even if you don't dance, our professional will be available to teach you. This opportunity is open to our female volunteers. Dance classes are held near HealthPark. Call Michelle Martin for more details at 239-985-7727.


Kitchen Helpers are Needed
We need volunteers to help spread the word about Hope. Our Faith Outreach callers contact local churches, temples and places of worship to inform them of the many programs and services that we provide. Can you help us? Contact Colette Johns.

Attention Animal Lovers
Patients may experience stress at the end of life when they worry about who will take care of their pets. Join us. We're asking volunteers to help create a program to find homes for these beloved pets. Contact Colette Johns.

Fingerprinting
The Volunteer Department is now processing fingerprints for our new staff and volunteers. If you would like to learn this interesting process and help in the office please contact Barbara Tvedt.

Tuck-in Callers
Contact patients and caregivers to discuss their comfort level. Callers are needed in all areas. Call your volunteer specialist to help with this effort.

PACE Centers

New volunteer opportunities are available at the Hope PACE Centers. There are a variety of activities that volunteers may assist with, including front desk reception and pet visitation. You may choose to volunteer at the PACE Center that is closest to you: central Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Lehigh Acres or North Naples. Contact Joan Wyckoff to volunteer.

 

Patient Visitors in Sebring Facilities
Brighten someone's day by visiting a nursing home or assisted living facility. Your help is needed in the Sebring area. Interested volunteers should contact Allison Lao.

Health Fair Helpers - Polk County 

Do you like to share Hope with others? Coordinate, set up and attend health fairs throughout Polk County. Contact Amy Arnold.

 

Lakeland Office Volunteers and Admission Survey Callers
Assist with filing, organizing supplies, and helping at the front desk. Help is also needed making phone calls for admission surveys. Contact Amy Arnold.  

 

Patient Assistance in Winter Haven

Visit and sit with patients, run small errands or provide much needed transportation for patients and family members. Contact Amy Arnold


Special Opportunities

Summer School 2012
Come have fun while you learn. Enjoy treats and surprises! Call your Volunteer Specialist to reserve your spot.
All classes are 1:00pm - 3:30pm
July 10: Cape Coral
July 12: Bonita Springs
July 19: Lehigh Acres
July 26: Fort Myers

Being Green... What Does It Mean?
Learn to Live Lighter on the Planet
John Kiseda, Lee County Sustainability/Education Program Coordinator, will share easy ways to be "green" without having to pay more for products and services. RSVP to your volunteer specialist.
June 26: Fort Myers
Eco Living Center at Ruttenberg Park
(the old Library)
6490 South Pointe Blvd
Informational Talk 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Stay until 3:00pm to enjoy the displays
 
Exclusive Backstage Tour at
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

Have you always wanted to be "on stage" or "backstage?" Join us for a fun tour of the BBMann! Director of Operations and Hope Volunteer Dan Schwartz will give information and will take us backstage where all the magic happens. Refreshments will be served. Book early, as space is limited! This "show" is expected to sell out. Contact Joe Pardi.
June 14: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Barbara B. Mann, Fort Myers


 

Upcoming Orientation Classes

If you know someone interested in becoming a volunteer with Hope, please have them call Joe Pardi.

June 9: Fort Myers

June 12: Hope Chest

 

11th Hour - End of Life Class
Your presence is important as patients near the end of life. Learn how to assist both patients and families at this special time. The class is presented by Tony Majeri, Hope Volunteer. Call your volunteer specialist to RSVP.
All Classes are 1:00pm - 2:15pm
June 6: Fort Myers
June 12: Cape Coral
June 20: Lehigh Acres

Mealtime Assistance 

This class is designed to educate volunteers who would like to help patients at mealtimes. Learn the proper techniques for safety and comfort. Diana Ehrlich RN will present this session. Call Joan Wyckoff to attend.

June 27: Fort Myers
10am - 12pm


Volunteer Leadership Virtual Conference
Join us for an exciting national teleconference hosted by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Special topics will include:
Volunteers - The Heart of Hospice by J. Donald Schumacher
Volunteers - Exceptionalism in Care and Practice by Gary Gardia
ALL Community Rooms
Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs
August 3 from 10:30am - 12:00pm
RSVP to Joe Pardi and specify your location.

A Night of Hope - Lakeland
For just $10 you receive entrance into the Lakeland Flying Tigers game as well as BBQ tastings and free parking. There will also be live music and concession specials. Proceeds from your ticket purchase benefit Hope.
Thursday, June 7
Gates open at 5:00pm, game time is 6:30pm
Joker Marchant Stadium
2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805
Purchase your tickets from Amy Arnold

Hope Night at the Ballpark
Hope volunteers and staff can enjoy a night at Hammond Stadium watching a Fort Myers Miracle baseball game. Tickets are $14 each and include:
  • Admission to a reserved area of general seating
  • All you can eat hot dogs, burgers, chips, popcorn, peanuts, fountain soda and water through the end of the 6th inning
  • Fireworks display
Please call Joe Pardi for tickets
Saturday, July 28
Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
Announcements
Mitzvah Day for Hope

Temple Beth El celebrated Mitzvah Day by painting tea lights for rooms at the Hope Hospice Houses. This is the second year Hope has been the beneficiary of their good deeds! We thank them for brightening the lives of our patients and families.

Now Available for Purchase: "Volunteer Stories"

A book written by Hope Volunteers about their experiences volunteering with patients and families is now available for purchase. The book was presented to Samira K. Beckwith at the Annual Volunteer Luncheon in May in commemoration of her 20th Anniversary as President and CEO of Hope HealthCare Services. Contact your Volunteer Specialist to request one or more copies of this hard cover book. Books are $35 each.

Book Lovers - Donate Your Old Titles
The PACE Center library is looking for donations - current best sellers, books of all varieties, Books on Tape or talking books. You may leave all book-related donations with your Volunteer Specialist.

Volunteer Department Updates
Jean Best will be retiring on June 8 after nearly ten years of service as Volunteer Specialist at Hope. We thank Jean for the wonderful job that she has done with the VALOR Program and the volunteers in Lehigh Acres and surrounding areas.

Please welcome Fran Nanio, who will coordinate the VALOR Program, and Tamara Borek, who will assist volunteers in the Lehigh area. They are both excited and looking forward to working with all of you.
Safe Summer Driving Tips 

Stay Safe on the Roads This Summer

Many people will welcome the Florida summer by hitting the highway for a long-anticipated vacation. In the coming months motorists will find themselves faced with distractions, traffic congestion, construction zones and impatient drivers. These hazards can and do lead to dangerous driving. Follow these tips to stay safe this summer:
  • Concentrate on driving, not on passengers, cellular phones, or other distractions.
  • Obey speed limits.
  • Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead.
  • When entering a roadway or changing lanes, allow other drivers to maintain speed.
  • Drive in the right lane, pass on the left.
  • Signal several hundred feet before turning or changing lanes.
  • Stop at stop signs and red lights; don't run yellow lights.
  • Don't block intersections.
  • Respect pedestrian right-of-ways in cross walks.
  • Look a few blocks ahead to detect and avoid dangerous situations before they happen.
  • Allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination by planning for the possibility of traffic tie-ups, fender-benders, bad weather, etc.
  • Avoid road rage by keeping your emotions in check.
  • Get plenty of rest before driving. Falling asleep at the wheel is a recipe for disaster.

Volunteer Manager

Bob Sheehan
9470 HealthPark Circle
Fort Myers, FL 33908
239-489-9188
239-482-3380 fax

 

Volunteer Educator
Joe Pardi
9470 HealthPark Circle
Fort Myers, FL 33908
239-489-9180
239-482-3380 fax     

 

Bereavement, Support Programs & Hospice House HealthPark  

Joan Wyckoff
9470 HealthPark Circle
Fort Myers, FL 33908
239-489-9181
239-482-3380 fax

 
Bonita Springs
Barbara Nielsen
27200 Imperial Pkwy
Bonita, FL 34135
239-444-4140
239-444-1111 fax

 

Cape Coral
Nina Tomasello
2430 Diplomat Pkwy E
Cape Coral, FL 33909
239-656-3240
239-574-6417 fax  

 

Fort Myers, Beaches, & Shell Point
Barbara Tvedt
9470 HealthPark Circle
Fort Myers, FL 33908
239-985-7722
239-425-8750 fax

Highlands & Hardee Counties 

Allison Lao 

4840 Sun N Lake Blvd. Sebring, FL 33872 863-382-7004

 

863-382-0359 fax

Hope Chest

Jane Davis 

13821 N Cleveland Ave

 

N Fort Myers, FL 33903
239-652-1114
239-985-7715 fax

Lehigh Acres, Hendry & Glades
Counties
Jean Best
1201 Wings Way
Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
239-415-7217
239-368-2141 fax

N Cape, Downtown FM

Colette Johns
13821 N Cleveland Ave
N Fort Myers, FL 33903
239-985-7728
239-652-9211 fax

Nursing Homes &
Assisted Living

Fran Nanio
13821 N Cleveland Ave
N Fort Myers, FL 33903
239-985-7701
239-652-9211 fax  

 

Polk County
Amy Arnold
1525 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33805
863-370-7017
863-688-4717 fax
TB Tests
TB Test
Call 800.835.1673
ext 25341 to
schedule a TB Test.
Hope Wear
If you would like to purchase Hope Wear, visit ces.landsend.com/hopehospice.

 

You don't need a password. Purchases can be completed online with a credit card.

Visit Hope

Online or Call

HopeHCS.org
800.835.1673