• Midcoast Tree Festival
• Explore The Region
  • Day Trips
  • Dining Lodging
  • Fall & Winter Activities
  • Family & Kids
  • Festivals & Specials
  • History, Arts & Culture
  • Shopping
  • Spring & Summer Activities
  • Water Activities
  • Weddings & Events
• Chamber Works 2030
• Calendar
• Our Businesses
  • Directory
  • Networking Affiliations
  • Business Resources & Links
  • Member Videos
• Our Communities
  • Doing Business Here
  • Educational Institutions
  • Get Our Guide
  • Our Towns
    • Arrowsic
    • Bath
    • Bowdoin
    • Bowdoinham
    • Brunswick
    • Dresden
    • Edgecomb
    • Georgetown
    • Harpswell
    • Phippsburg
    • Richmond
    • Topsham
    • West Bath
    • Westport Island
    • Wiscasset
    • Woolwich
  • Relocate Here
  • Retire Here
• Chamber Info
  • Member Info Updates
  • Members: "Eat" Amenities List
  • Members: "Stay" Amenities List
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Committees
  • Events
    • Annual Meeting
    • Awards Nomination Form
    • B2B Networking Expo
    • Chamber After Hours
    • 12 @ 12
    • Hacker's Ball
  • Membership Application
  • Online Invoice Payments
  • Women's Networking Group
  • Midcoast Edge

Robert D. Turcotte Award Presented to AHCH Volunteers

Lewiston, Maine – Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice (AHCH) presented the Robert D. Turcotte Award to three individuals at the spring Volunteer Recognition events held in Auburn, Farmington and Bridgton. The award is presented in honor of Robert Turcotte, an Auburn resident, who was treasurer of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice’s Board of Directors from 1978 until his death in 1982.

The 2016 award recipients are:

Leo Savard, of Lewiston, has been volunteering since April of 2013. He has visited with 33 patients and families in AHCH’s Hospice, Bereavement and Home Care programs, as well as hundreds of patients at the Hospice House and Togus-VA. Leo helped launch the “We Honor Veterans” program, and has performed over 40 pinning ceremonies. Leo volunteers almost every day of the week and even has made additional visits on his days off with patients at the Hospice House that may not be visited by friends or family. Some of those visits even continued when patients returned home and they asked if they could see him again. Leo also volunteers in the Hospice House kitchen on special holidays and attends fundraising events that support the agency. He always focuses on the needs of the patient and goes above and beyond. He finds out what people are interested in, and he goes there. One nurse shared “We need more of Leo. I feel like I am always the one with the emergency needs and he is always there to help. He is amazing.

Stephanie Upton, of Auburn, has been volunteering since May of 2010. She volunteers every Wednesday at the Hospice House, providing patient support. She knows how to approach patients and their families by listening and spending time with them to make them feel at home. She goes above and beyond for patients and no role is below her. She helps in the kitchen, with laundry, delivering meals, cleaning closets and anything else the staff may need. Stephanie has also made home visits to patients. She also has ensured that staff who were dealing with a family members in the hospice program were supported by visiting with their family member. The staff can always count of her. Stephanie truly represents what Hospice is about.

David Blocher, of Litchfield, has been a volunteer with AHCH since October of 2008. He has been a shining example of good service.  In that time he has visited with 39 patients and families. David showed his true commitment when he visited with a patient for 3-years as the patient went from Home Care to Compass Care to Hospice Care. David being a Veteran himself, performed a special pinning ceremony for his veteran patient. David also spoke at the funeral per the request of the granddaughter. David has also been singing as part of the Androscoggin Harmony Choir for hospice patients and helped to establish the volunteer program with the VA-Togus. David has a wonderful way with patients and families and because of his own personal experience, is able to show true compassion in his approach.

“Volunteers receiving the Turcotte Award have truly shined in the work they do. It is an honor to receive such an award and all the award winners are very deserving.  Staff throughout the agency put much thought into the nominations they submit making it a very challenging choice for those making the final decision. We are proud as an agency to have such wonderful volunteers supporting our patients and families. We truly could not do all we do without them,” stated Kathy Baillargeon, Volunteer Supervisor.  

In addition to the Turcotte Award presentation, volunteers were recognized for their years of service milestones. 10-year service awards were presented to Amanda Labonte, Bob Oliver and Sandy Oliver. 15-year service awards were given to Dianne Massey, Maggie Pelletier and Adriann Tucker. Anne Behnke was the recipient of the 30-year award, which is also the record. When Anne was asked what she loves most about volunteering, she said, “The gift of being with patients and families.  Working with wonderful staff and volunteers.  I get so much in return.”

For the past 50 years, AHCH has grown to become known as one of Maine’s most respected home health and hospice care agency. To learn more about AHCH and how you can help, please visit them online at www.ahch.org or call the Marketing and Development Office at 777.7740 ext. 1407.