Fall 2024 Newsletter
Happy Fall!
“Alas, summer sun can’t last forever. The days will grow cooler and shorter, and our skin will once again pale. “Sarah MacLean
It is amazing to believe the summer months have come and gone and fall is soon upon us. This summer, we had some great successes, from building our PPOM program to providing additional education on our memory care facilities and being invited to participate in our new Community Hospice & Palliative Care Veteran program. Thank you, Volunteers! Together, in the last 11 months we have grown and maintained our Mandated Medicare Match hours from 5% to 7% for utilization of volunteers. We have increased the number of patients with a volunteer visiting them, and we have grown awareness and raised volunteer and staff support for our PPOM program. These successes would not be possible without the time and commitment you give to our organization, patients and staff. I look forward to the coming months and all the exciting opportunities we have for you.
Community Hospice Volunteers of the Summer: Volunteer Shout Outs!
A big thank you to the 120 volunteers who attended our grand event this year at the UNF Adam Herbert University Center.
Barbara Joyce given an internal high 5 for going above and beyond for patients at our Hadlow Center for caring. She provides patients and their loved ones with items our Creative Hearts volunteers have made, pillows, quilts and cards. She also provides snacks via our snack cart to patients and families back in the unit.
Gina Perrone, one of our LTC/ALF volunteers. Shout out for hosting a discussion at our July roundtables about memory care, her experience and the patients she has had the privilege of meeting.
Victor Scott Fandrich, shout out for going above and beyond with our LTC/ALF patients and introducing new ways to have successful visits.
John Patterson, Shout out to our Vet to Vet volunteer, for being a huge advocate for veterans in our care and their families; helping provide resources and information to those in need.
Karen Wolfe, pet therapy volunteer, shout out and internal high 5 for taking 16 pet therapy requests in one month.
Chris Ward, shout out to for continuous support with our PPOM program helping us find community support, Vets and boarding facilities in the St Augustine area.
A big thank you to Julie Montemerlo for supporting Community Hospice and Palliative Care through selfless acts of kindness.
🙏THANK YOU so much to everyone who supported the Full Moon Fundraiser for Community Hospice in June. “I was really proud of us when I wrote the check
for ✨$1111.11 ✨as a combined gift 🎁from donors and my family in honor of my 40th birthday”! ☺️Julie Montemerlo
Volunteer Stats
Oct-May 2024 FY Stats
Filling over 90% of patient volunteer requests, filling an average of 100 requests monthly.
(a savings of over $168,899.92)
Empower Our Mission
The Foundation of Community Hospice & Palliative Care generates philanthropic and community support for patient care services, family needs and community programs.
Pets waiting to be adopted:
Thank You!
A big thank you to one of our Community Partners, who wants to remain anonymous, for donating 17 robotic pets and various stuffed animals for our patients and Peds patients. This fantastic contribution is in memory of his mother (who is in heaven eating orange pineapple ice cream). During her care, she had a stuffed dog named “Buddy” who she loved and who brought her comfort. He hopes to spark joy and inspire others to want to help by making this amazing contribution.
Donated Companion Pets Assigned to Volunteer
One volunteer in Lake City is excited to share her new companion pet bird with one patient. During each visit, they speak often about birds. The volunteer now has one of the donated pets to share and connect with her patient.
Ocean Wave Quilters
We received 442 heart pillows donated by our lovely volunteers at Ocean Wave Quilters. This amazing group of ladies donate two times a year and we are so blessed to be one of their organizations of choice. These pillows are given to our patients wherever they call home and receive our care.
Administrative Notes
Recruiting New Volunteers
2024 Annual Volunteer Competency Assessment
2024 Annual Volunteer Training : Save The Date!
October is our Annual Volunteer Training month. We would love to invite you to save the dates. This year we will have 2 opportunities for you to join us and hear about Veterans at the End of Life; Presented by Kristy Skonieczny and “Four Things that Matter Most” by Jess McCrosky.
Friday, October 25, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chapman Center in St Augustine
OR
Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Neviaser Education Center in Jacksonville
Be on the lookout for an invitation in the mail!
Patient Thanksgiving Boxes 2024 We need your help
