Oh, what a night! On Thursday, Aug. 3rd, friends of Charlotte Raymond turned out in droves for “Cocktails with Charlotte” – a special event held in her honor and benefiting the hospice she has volunteered at for over three decades. Charlotte was blown away by the reception and fellowship. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this such a memorable evening in honor of an unforgettable lady and cherished volunteer!
About Charlotte
After retiring from a career with the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C. over 35 years ago, Charlotte moved to Saint Simons Island and began volunteering here at Hospice of the Golden Isles. She’s performed a variety of volunteer jobs over the years, but there are two for which she’s famous: creating scrapbooks about HGI and knitting prayer shawls to comfort hospice patients.
Several times a week, 93-year-old Charlotte carefully checks the local newspaper and area publications for items about HGI. When she finds something, she cuts it out and places it in the appropriate scrapbook. Although she can’t remember exactly how long she’s been doing this, she says there are now multiple volumes of scrapbooks. According to Charlotte, “Someone even made or bought a bookcase for them.”
As for her popular prayer shawls, Raymond prays small, simple prayers while she knits them. “Then they are blessed prior to the patient receiving them by Dr. Mike (the Rev. Michael Cordle, chaplain at HGI),” she said. “It’s so gratifying to make these; you know they’re going to someone who will enjoy them.” Families often keep the prayer shawls after their loved one dies.
Raymond is extremely humble, and doesn’t want any attention for her work, but she’s known to many families who have passed through the doors at HGI as the “prayer shawl lady.”
We’re always looking for great volunteers like Charlotte. If you would like to learn more about volunteering, contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Southeast Georgia Health System recently featured our Palliative Care services in an article in its “Healthy Partners” publication. Palliative care helps with easing and managing the pain of patients facing serious illness; its goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
According to the article, palliative medicine has become the fastest-growing medical specialty in the United States, with 67 percent of U.S. hospitals with 50 or more beds now staffing palliative care teams.
“Many physicians with a previous primary care practice have moved into palliative medicine to help make sure patients and families have the information they need to make very difficult decisions,” Dr. Shaner says. “The Palliative Care team coordinates with the patient’s attending physician to provide patients and families with extra support and the opportunity to discuss and establish the goals of care.”
Read the full article here.
After earning Deyta’s Hospice Honors for the fifth year in a row, a celebration was held to thank our wonderful medical team, board of directors, volunteers and administrative staff (pictured) for helping us become the ONLY hospice in Georgia to earn this distinction! At Hospice of the Golden Isles, we are proud to offer The Best Care When It Matters Most!
18 Therapy Dogs from Therapy Dog International (TDI) were “treat”ed to a real dog party at HGI. The party was in appreciation for all that they (and their humans) do to help others in the community and here at hospice. Special thanks to Pet Supplies Plus, Certified Burger, and the Darien Animal Hospital.
See photos from eventRead Florida Times-Union media coverageRead the Brunswick News media coverage
Back row left to right: Elizabeth Williams, Buddy McGhin and Buster, Bob Joiner and Raleigh, Karl Merriman, Susan Gibbs, Ann Granger and Duffy, Beverly Spaeth, Patty Crosby and Dexter, Jack Brodhag, Gwen Scott, Janet Douglas, Lynn Tyrer and Hallie Louya, Ruth Barker.
Front row left to right: Carole Pattie and Lily, Linder Waller and Zack, Diane Sheehan and Luke, Dottie Brodhag and Dixie, Tom Scott and Skeets, Arlene Ingram and Darby Rose, Robert Lamoureaux and Pierre.