Our Community Encircles
Celia's House Hospice Residents
July 2021
Like a waft of cool breeze welcomed after a day of blazing heat, our Rogue Valley community has rushed in to surround our Celia's House residents and families with their generous support. We are grateful for all our Volunteers and Friends who share in our mission to bring expert, mindful, and compassionate care to those facing end-of-life in Southern Oregon.

Happy August holidays - Our next newsletter will arrive in September.
Honoring A Life, Beginning the Healing
By Su Rouzie, Resident Support Volunteer and Board Member

Photo: Our Book of Remembering, where all are invited to honor the life of the people who have graced Celia's House with their last days - shown on our new reflection table - hewn from a black walnut burned in the Almeda Fire.
Barbara had been at Celia’s House for nearly two months. She was a very private woman and her loving wife Margy was there for her every day, brightening not only Barbara’s life with her smiles, but also those of us at Celia’s as well. It was a Friday morning, Margy had a feeling, and sure enough, shortly after she arrived, Barbara took her last breaths.

When this moment happens, there is no rush to action, no urgency. It is a time to take time, to allow the sacredness of the moment to have all the space possible. Margy, like every Celia’s House loved one, was offered the option to have an Honoring Ceremony to mark this sacred time.

As she faced her loss that morning, Margy had the support of Providence Hospital Chaplin Pandora Canton, and Julie, a Celia’s House Resident Support Volunteer with whom she had established a close relationship. She recalls this experience clearly. “We sat and cried, shared memories for an hour or longer. Julie covered Barbara with flowers and petals. It was so beautiful.” Together they created a small altar. 

Initially, Margy didn’t want an Honoring Ceremony; she did not think she could bear it. But when she later came out of the elevator, staff and volunteers were gathered in the foyer waiting to pay respects to Barbara, the person they had cared for. Margy realized in that moment that Barbara would have wanted this experience for her loved ones and circle of supporters. 

There was a long pause of silence, and when Margy was ready, she said few words. Chaplain Pandora said a prayer, and then others, who were called, shared memories and placed flowers over Barbara. 
 
“It was the most tender and loving ritual I have ever witnessed,” said Margy. It brought a closure I did not expect, or know I needed. I think about it a lot and am so grateful for what Celia’s provided in that moment, exactly when it was needed most.”
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Our staff and volunteers are trained to prepare for this sacred time. We respect and follow the wishes of the resident and family, never imposing any belief or practice. Rather, our team offers ritual bathing, simple altar creation, gathered flowers from the garden and a ceremony, to allow as much time and support as needed.

So important to our path of mindful caregiving, our team sees this practice as an unmistakably reverent and powerful moment in time; the beginning of healthy grieving and healing.

Celia's House and Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice wish to thank Margy for sharing her and Barbara's experience at Celia's House
Volunteers and Friends Helped Us Surpass our Fundraising Goal!
by Julie Raefield, Development Director
We knew we were hoping for a bit of a miracle to reach $125,000 in donations mid-year and thanks to the many volunteers and community supporters who stepped forward, we actually surpassed our goal! As of today, you helped us raise $140,475!

On behalf of our residents, families, staff, volunteers and Board, please accept our hearty "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" for each and every one of you who donated, and for those who shared our mission and need with friends and family.

Our VOLUNTEERS & FRIENDS appeal raised:
  • $ 11,725 in Care Fund contributions (care cost grants for those in need)
  • $118,441 to help Fill the Gap for our Annual Operating needs
  • $ 6,809 to Pay Down Celia’s House Mortgage
  • $ 3,500 for our new Oregon Community Foundation Endowment Fund

Three special challenge match donors helped to double the impact of our additional donors and we were able to meet the entire challenge! Extra gratitude goes to those lovely anonymous donors!

We are excited to soon begin our fall fundraising, so anyone who missed this appeal is invited to use our online donation system to kick-start that next effort!
Moments of Grace and...Goats
The "Three AmiGoats" of Jacksonville's Sanctuary One came by Celia's House recently to bring some close encounters of the animal kind to residents. With a little celery to entice, residents had a taste of the country right at our doorstep. Volunteers fielded questions and helped the curious kids bring chuckles to residents, family visitors and staff members alike.
Goat greetings lift spirits.
The joy of connection.
HUB Volunteer Spotlight - Doris Segner
Exemplifying a Dedication to Giving and Service with a Smile
By Cheryl French, Volunteer
Volunteer Doris Segner on duty at our upscale resale boutique sharing her smile with shoppers.
HUB-Pup Poppy seeks a few warm snuggles with Doris, in between customer visits.
Just about every Tuesday for the past eleven years, Doris Segner arrives at her 10:30 to 2 shift ready to greet and chat with HUB (Hospice Unique Boutique) customers in Ashland. “It’s a wonderful place to volunteer,” she said. Adding, “Really, we’re almost like family. Everyone is so nice, it’s fun, and it’s for a good cause to support Celia’s House in Holmes Park.”

Doris explained she was looking for a volunteer opportunity when a friend suggested The HUB. “I started in the back room sorting and tagging clothing, but I really like working in the front of the store. I’m a people person and enjoy talking with our customers.”

The HUB carries a wide variety of upscale, modern, and vintage women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, furniture, art, home décor and housewares. The ever-changing, one-of-a-kind donations are pre-selected for quality, excellence and relevance.

Donating to and buying merchandise at The HUB are rewarding ways to support end-of-life care programs in our region. Amazingly, 20% of our nonprofit operating revenue comes from HUB sales! Anyone interested in volunteering should come into the HUB (1618 Ashland Street) and pick up an application. If you come in on a Tuesday, say hello to Doris.
Celia's House Greeters Also Needed! If you have a warm smile and the ability to welcome visitors and family, Celia's House hospice residence also continues to need door greeter volunteers, weekdays and Saturdays available for 2 hour shifts. Even one day a month helps us help our families! Please contact Sue Carroll, Volunteer Coordinator to learn more at Sue.Carroll@sofriendsofhospice.org or 541-500-8911 (ext. 304 - Option 5).

Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice offers Fall OLLI Class

Learn more about end-of-life planning and hospice in this upcoming 8-week course beginning September 17th.

The course is offered free of charge to those with active Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) memberships through Southern Oregon University.

To read more about OLLI and how to become a member, click below to visit the OLLI main website.

NEWS FLASH: The HUB will be closed on Labor Day, September 6th.

NOTICES AND NEEDS:
  • Needed -- Donated Metal Storage Shed or Shipping Container! Additional storage and work space are desperately needed to accept and process donations - beyond the tiny backroom of The HUB. Please contact Julie Raefield 541-380-1154 for more information on how to help with this vital assistance for our resale shop, whose net profits support Celia's House resident care.

  • Come on down Matt Preston! You are our lucky shopper whose name was drawn from those who have signed up on our email list. Call The HUB for your gift certificate!

  • Mover-Helper needed for donation pick-ups. We continue to seek volunteers who are able to safely pick up, move and deliver furniture. Please contact us: THEHUB@opendoor.com or 541-488-7805. We are grateful for even a few hours per week!

  • Visit our eBay store to see some great new specialty items! Check them out here: The HUB eBay store
Need Help or Have Questions?

For General Information - Call Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice Administrative Offices:
541-500-8911

For Admission Information - Call Celia's House Administrator Michele Murray: 541-613-0230

Photo: Cascades of roses tended by our wonderful volunteer garden crew.

Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice & Celia's House
Mailing Address:
217 S. Modoc Ave., Medford, OR 97504

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