LEWISTON – Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice volunteers, Nora Morris of Auburn and Edwina Hardy of Rumford, received awards at the annual Blaine House Tea co-sponsored by the Home Care Alliance of Maine and the Maine Hospice Council.

The tea is held in honor of home care and hospice volunteers throughout Maine and specially recognizes two volunteers with the awards of Home Care Volunteer of the Year and Hospice Volunteer of the Year.

Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Nancy Greene nominated Morris and Hardy for their contributions to home care and hospice families respectively. Criteria included a history of regular volunteerism for the agency and exceptional positive interaction with fellow volunteers, patients and their families.

Morris, who has served as a volunteer for six years, received one of two Home Care Volunteer of the Year Awards presented this year in light of her dedication to her patients and families, for her gentle sense of humor, and her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of those she visits.

With a service of more than three years, Hardy was recognized as Hospice Volunteer of the Year for her ongoing work with hospice patients and their families. Noted for her listening and one-on-one skills and her readiness to travel distances to care for her patients, Hardy also serves as a bereavement volunteer, supporting families after the death of a loved one, and has worked closely with the agency to develop and improve the volunteer program to better serve patients and families.

“Our patients and their families benefit from our strong and committed team of volunteers at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice,” said Greene. “It’s wonderful when an opportunity presents itself to recognize their selflessness and say thanks.’ We couldn’t do it without them.”

The agency provides skilled home care, supportive care and hospice care for residents of Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford and northern Cumberland counties.

As the region’s leading hospice provider, AHCH serves more than 725 patients and families, offering comprehensive end-of-life care and bereavement services at home and in long-term care facilities. More information can be found at the Web site, ahch.org.