Winter 2017 News

1/14/2017

Greetings to all as we embark on a New Year within our ministry! Our current guest has been with us for 9 full weeks and three holiday celebrations – not to mention her 92nd birthday! She and her family have blessed all who have served them. Many new volunteers have taken shifts and joined our volunteer family. Your dedication and commitment make this happen.

Over the last six months Samaritan house has been the recipient of generous donations from families whose loved ones were cared for by you, the volunteers. These funds help maintain the house and assist in payment of expenses on an ongoing basis.

Special Thanks

Lillian Fox and Patty Perry represented the Samaritan House at the annual Alternative Christmas Fair, held at the Presbyterian Church on Dicken’s Day. Thank you to Lil and Patty for sharing their time and treasures at this meaningful event.

Mark Your Calendars

The Samaritan House committee is planning a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, April 30th at 4:30pm at St. Peter’s Parish Center. Dr. Edmund Guelig will speak about the criteria for hospice care. Dinner will follow the presentation. Each volunteer is welcome to bring a guest. Please RSVP no later than April 10th. This will also be an opportunity to meet other volunteers. The Committee looks forward to your attendance.

A Note of Gratitude (from the daughter of a recent guest)

“As I take time to reflect this holiday season, many memories of my Dad flood my days. He loved Christmas – the songs, the presents, but most of all when we all came back home to Wellsboro.
Every memory of Dad is accompanied by true thankfulness that he was able to spend his last days in the community he loved and that wonderful volunteers were able to help my Mom. I cannot express the peace of mind that you all have brought to my family. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, full of God’s blessings joy and peace.”

Introducing Jen

The Samaritan House Committee extends a warm welcome to Jen Stephens, who will be
available to assist Linda with future schedules. Read a bit about Jen below.

Hello Volunteers, my name is Jen Stephens. Some of you may already
know me, but to those who do not, I would like to introduce myself. I live
in Wellsboro with my husband Jim and my two children Madeline & Charlie. Primarily I am a stay-at-home mom, but I also work part-time
at Cafe 1905 and I am the VP of the S&SMH Auxiliary.

I strongly believe in volunteerism and its benefit to our community. In
fact, a sense of community is impossible without volunteers. I am excited
to participate in the Samaritan House ministry and look forward to working with each of you. Warmest regards, Jen Stephens.

A Note from Linda

Although I correspond daily with all of you when we have a guest, there are many volunteers
whom I have never met!

Here is a bit about my history with Samaritan House: I was present
at the ribbon-cutting ceremony that formally opened the doors to
our ministry in 1999, and among the first group of volunteers to
serve a guest at the house. I spent a number of those early years
as a volunteer, and then took leave for a time.

I returned in the summer of 2013, and shortly after, was invited to
fill the position of scheduler. It is a true honor and privilege to
work with each of you, as well as the guests and families at
Samaritan House.

The committee wishes to thank Patty Kramer for her years of service as the Volunteer Scheduler. Patty continues to be an active volunteer and member of the Steering Committee.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Here’s how it works: Anyone in the community who loves to knit or crochet can make a shawl. After a shawl is made, it can be kept somewhere in the Samaritan House to be shared with a guest. As the shawls are made, prayers are prayed for the one who will receive the shawl. For more information, please contact Jan Bernathy at 307-267-0677.