KENNEBUNKPORT — In observance of National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, more than 200 handmade cards were delivered from Kennebunkport Consolidated School elementary students to the patients now under Hospice of Southern Maine’s care.

Dubbed “Little Hands, Big Love,” the card-making project is part of a campaign to teach students the value of community service and empathy. It was timed by volunteers at the school and HSM to coincide with November, the national month for hospice awareness. 

“Making cards for people in hospice helped my students learn about empathy and apply their learning to enrich the lives of others,” said Jennifer Humphrey, a fifth-grade teacher at Kennebunkport Consolidated School. “It has been a great opportunity for my students to think beyond themselves and help others in need. It will not soon be forgotten.”  

Hospice combines the highest level of quality medical care with the emotional and spiritual support that families need most when facing end of life.

Through this specialized quality care focused on symptom management and quality of life rather than curative measures, many patients and their families experience more meaningful moments together.  It helps them focus on living in the moment despite terminal diagnoses, through many programs, including efforts like “Little Hands, Big Love.”

“This is such a heartwarming gift from the Kennebunk Consolidated students and staff,” said Hospice of Southern Maine’s Development Director Kristin Melville. “These cards are evidence that even while living with a terminal condition, there is time for joy and happiness.”

When asked about their experience, students gave responses that echoed a theme of personal reward from their efforts: 

“I felt really good because I was helping people feel better with something pretty or something colorful. I hope they like my card. I think doing that made them feel good and it was a kind thing to do.” 

“It made me feel heart warmed to know that someone would receive my card and say, ‘hmmm…’ and have a smile on their face.” 

“It made me feel good that I got to make somebody feel better.”

“I felt great when I sent my card to the people in hospice because we were making them feel like someone cared.”

“In my opinion, it feels special to let someone know that we have feelings for them. That’s what we people have to do for one another.” 

“Making cards made me feel great because we were helping to cheer people up.” 

For more information about hospice care and National Hospice Month, visit hospiceofsouthernmaine.org. 

Hospice of Southern Maine’s mission is to provide compassion, care, and comfort through end of life, and it is the only nonprofit hospice organization in southern Maine whose sole focus is end-of-life care. They seek neither to prolong life nor to hasten death, but to provide excellent care for patients with a life-limiting illness and support for their families, through their home care program or at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Maine’s first freestanding inpatient hospice facility.

Hospice of Southern Maine is a nonprofit 501(c) 3, Medicare certified, state licensed agency. To learn more, visit www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org.