LEWISTON — Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice (AHCH) presented the Robert D. Turcotte Award to three individuals at the recent volunteer recognition events held in Auburn, Farmington and Bethel.

The award is presented in honor of Robert Turcotte, an Auburn resident, who was treasurer of the AHCH board of directors from 1978 until his death in 1982. AHCH gives the award in acknowledgement of outstanding contributions to the promotion of home health care.

The 2009 award recipients are:

Sheila Bacon of Greene who has been matched with more than 30 home care and hospice patients in the past six years. She always takes on the most challenging needs. Bacon builds trust and helps people feel comfortable to talk about their fears or concerns. Bacon also brings a sense of humor that she and patients share.

John Crowley of Jay has been involved with the hospice program since its earliest days. He was trained as a volunteer in 1986, and served on the board of directors and the Hospice Advisory Committee in the ’90s. Then due to the demands of his job, Crowley needed to stop volunteering for a while. In 2005, after he retired, he took another hospice class and became one of the first volunteers at the Hospice House. Today, he spends Monday afternoons at the house. Crowley brings skills, respect, a soft calm voice and comforting touch to patients and families.

Marge Kennedy of Dixfield volunteers with hospice patients at the Rumford Community Home. In her three years of volunteering, she has provided support and care to more than 20 patients and their families. Kennedy was nominated for the award by hospice team members in the Rumford area.

An AHCH hospice chaplain said, “Each patient is the most important person in the world when Marge is with them. She gives them what they need: a song, a prayer, a hug, a walk, a wheelchair ride. Marge is there for them – and when she leaves, they know they are loved.”

“Our volunteers are vital and highly regarded members of our hospice team. They are integral in providing compassionate care to our patients and families. We are honored to recognize the leadership and commitment of these award recipients,” said Julie Shackley, AHCH president/CEO.

Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice is a nonprofit, Medicare-certified agency that provides home care, supportive care and hospice care for more than 8,200 residents throughout central and western Maine each year. More information can be found at www.ahch.org.

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