Dear Editor,

My wife, Pam, was cared for by hospice during the last months of her illness, and I will be eternally grateful for the support and care they gave to both her and to me.

After she died, I realized that I wanted to pass on some of that love and support—so I became a hospice volunteer with Serenity Hospice and Home, the provider of her hospice care.

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

Trained volunteers are essential members of the care team and there are more than 155 Serenity Hospice and Home volunteers in our community along with more than 458,000 volunteers throughout the country bringing comfort, love and respect to those in need.

When I arrive at someone’s home to provide a ramp or a helping hand, I feel good that I’m making time for others. But I get a lot out of it, too. I have met wonderful families; I’ve been privileged to hear fascinating stories; I’ve shared laughter and companionship at a time when those things are not always easy to find.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, an important time to help others understand the important resource we have in our community.

It’s never too early for a family to learn about the services hospice can provide. More information is available by calling 815-732-2499, or visiting www.serenityhospiceandhome.org on the web.

Don Atkinson

Oregon

CASA thanks all volunteers

Dear Editor,

CASA of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit which serves abused and neglected children of Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties recently hosted a “Celebrity Waiter Dinner” as a fund raiser.

Local community leaders served as waiters for their guests, our friends and community supporters of CASA.  Guests “tipped” their waiters generously with all proceeds going to CASA.

On behalf of the CASA board, I’d like to sincerely thank all those who participated in this fun and successful fund raiser. Because of your support, our volunteers can better serve and represent abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system.

Our volunteers act as the “squeaky wheel” to ensure that children have a voice in court and that permanency is achieved as quickly as possible.

Because of such tremendous community support fewer children will fall through the cracks. What a gift you have given!

Sincerely,

Deborah Crowson

CASA Board Member