It’s been 40 years since local resident and registered nurse Rose Crumb and six other interested persons met at the Port Angeles Senior Citizen Center and developed the blueprint for an organization that was to become Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County — what would become the first rural hospice in Washington state.

As part of its 40th anniversary commemoration, Volunteer Hospice is offering a Remembrance Ceremony and Celebration of Life from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., Sequim.

Family and friends who have lost a loved one in the last year are invited to attend, regardless of whether their loved one was a hospice patient.

A reception will follow the candle-lighting ceremony where attendees can meet other families, staff, volunteers and nurses, past and present. Refreshments will be served.

From two initial patients in 1978 to a daily average of 120 today — and a total patient count in the thousands over the past four decades — Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County (VHOCC) has grown with Clallam’s needs, adding equipment loan programs, respite care, grief support and community education programs.

All services offered by Volunteer Hospice are free, without insurance reimbursement or government assistance.

Learn more about VHOCC and the non-profit organization’s 40 years of serving Clallam County from Diamond Point to Joyce at VHOCC.org or www.facebook.com/Volunteerhospiceofclallam county.

VHOCC volunteers

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County offers monthly orientations for those interested in volunteering with the organization on the first Thursday of every month in Carlsborg, and the first Friday of every month in Port Angeles.

November sessions are scheduled for 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Nov. 1, Carlsborg (call 360-775-7806 for directions) and 10-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at 810 S. Albert St., Port Angeles.

VHOCC offers volunteer opportunities in a number of areas, from helping deliver medical equipment, assisting in the office or supporting a hospice patient by being a companion volunteer. There is an ongoing need for drivers and delivery assistants in Port Angeles and an immediate need for an additional grant writer and someone familiar with WordPress for web redesign.

Call 360-452-1511 for more information.

‘Living Alone Now’ workshop set

Volunteer Hospice announces a “Living Alone Now” workshop, set for 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Hospice House, 810 S. Albert St., Port Angeles. The workshop is facilitated by Rev. Maggie Bourne-Raiswell and RN Debby Smith. Material will focus on self-care and provide practical advice to those who have lost a life partner and are now confronted with the challenge of living alone.

Bourne-Raiswell is an ordained Episcopal priest with more than 25 years of experience providing pastoral care, currently serving at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sequim. She is also a grief support volunteer with VHOCC.

Smith has a 35-year career as a registered nurse and has been a hospice volunteer for 25 years, both in the U.S. and Canada. She has facilitated the VHOCC Grief Support classes for five years and assists with workshops and education in the community regarding hospice philosophy. She also teaches classes to caregivers about how to care for themselves while they are facing the many challenges of caring for others.

The workshop is free and open to the public. As space is limited, pre-registration is required by calling the office reception at 360-452-1511.