BRUNSWICK — In celebration of National Volunteer Appreciation week, CHANS Home Health Care Hospice and Volunteers Program celebrated its’ Hospice volunteers on April 4 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Brunswick.

Approximately 60 volunteers attended a dinner and program designed to show appreciation for their efforts.

As a group, the Hospice Volunteers dedicated approximately 4,827 hours in 2011 “to provide companionship, comfort, respite and a place of healing to persons at end-oflife and their families through one-on-one care as well as peer facilitators of many free grief and bereavement support groups available to the community,” a CHANS release states. “The event celebrated their good works and was a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers, who were served their meal by CHANS staff, while ‘Full Circle’ sang a cappella. Later, volunteers were able to bid (with fake money) for a whole host of gifts and services generously donated by local businesses and individuals.”

“It is a great and fun evening,” Hospice volunteer Don Weatherbee said in the release. “Gathering with other Hospice volunteers and grief facilitators during the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner always feels like being part of a supportive family who come together to share experiences during the year.”

For more information about becoming a Hospice volunteer, call Margaret Zillioux at 721-1271 or email mzillioux@midcoasthealth.com.

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