LEWISTON – Dave Bochtler, Bochtler Insurance Agency/Allstate Insurance, presented a gift of $500 to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice that will go toward the Journey of Hope Campaign for a new hospice house.

The 14-patient-suite Hospice House is due to open in November. It is specially designed to care for the needs of patients in the final weeks of life when hospice care at home is no longer possible.

The gift, awarded through the Allstate Helping Hands Program, recognizes organizations where their employees volunteer. Bochtler, AHCH hospice volunteer, was instrumental in obtaining the grant.

“We are pleased to have the support of Allstate Insurance. They should be commended for recognizing the valuable support their employees provide to local organizations through their volunteer efforts,” said Kim Wettlaufer, campaign chairman. “Volunteers play a critical role in our hospice program providing support and comfort to our patients and their family members.”

AHCH has more than 150 trained hospice volunteers who work with patients throughout the service area.

“Even with that many volunteers,” explains Wettlaufer, “the opening of the Hospice House in November is creating a need for additional volunteers as well as presenting many different types of volunteer opportunities.”

More information about volunteering at AHCH, including at the new Hospice House, can be obtained by contacting the Volunteer Department at 777-7740. For more information on AHCH, visit www.ahch.org.