Insights
Snowline: Remembrance of Lives Lost to the Coronavirus
One Year Of Coronavirus
Sue Watson
2/26/2021
Flags are flying at Half Staff all over the United States this week as our nation honors and grieves over 500,000 Americans whose lives were lost to COVID-19.
The National Memorial Monday night was stunning in the sheer number of 500,000 lit candles, each candle representing a person in the US whose life was taken too soon. Many COVID-19 victims fought courageously for life, and many tragically died alone, deprived of the presence of loved ones due to the cruel nature of this viral infection. Snowline staff and volunteers remember them, and we also remember their loved ones, those who are left behind whose lives are irrevocably altered.
For every life lost to the Coronavirus, it is estimated that an average of nine people grieve this loss, have a void in their life because of this loss. Many of the bereaved have been denied an opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones.
Many grieve alone, unable to gather for a Celebration of Life and find comfort with family and friends.
Our mission at Snowline is to serve our community by supporting patients at the end of life and guiding loved ones through grief. Snowline lives our mission and is offering telephone support and online grief
support groups to the community. We are reaching out to everyone who is looking for some support.
To learn more about Snowline Grief Services and Support Groups, please see:
Snowline's Outreach Team Delivers Care Backpacks to Homeless Veterans
A Partnership with ROADS Home of Sacramento
2/10/2021
Last Friday, Snowline Hospice and The ROADS Home project partnered together to deliver care backpacks to homeless veterans in Sacramento. As a We Honor Veterans Level 5 Hospice, we strive to help as many veterans as possible regardless of location or income status. Snowline's Veteran Outreach Intern, Shanon, and Medical Social Worker, Caitlin, joined with the ROADS Home Outreach Coordinator Nate to deliver the care backpacks in the "skid row" of Downtown Sacramento.
ROADS Home is a nonprofit organization that focuses on ending the homelessness crisis among veterans and their families. ROADS Home provides immediate emergency shelter, meals, and employment programs for any veteran experiencing homelessness. Nate, ROADS Home Outreach Coordinator, took our Snowline team to various homeless encampments where our team gave backpacks and bins to those in need.
Along the way, our team toured Quinn Cottages and spoke to the staff about the need for care amongst our aging homeless population. In Sacramento County, there more than 1,000 people over the age of 55 who are experiencing homelessness, according to the latest federally mandated point-in-time count. The Volunteers of America also welcomed our team to tour their downtown office, where they temporarily house veterans and elderly in need. Finally, our team had the opportunity to speak with the Sacramento Police Department Impact Team's officers. The Impact Officers spoke heavily on end-of-life in the homeless community and the growing need for homeless hospice care.
As an organization, we are grateful to have had this opportunity to connect and help our community prosper. We are honored to serve those who have served us!
Hand crafted jewelry in support of Springtime at Snowline
Dr. Sandra Hand Story
2/10/2021
Volunteer, Dr. Sandra Hand, spends her Thursday Mornings calling patients and making sure they have everything they need as part of Snowline’s Tuck-In Caller program. Tuck-In Caller Volunteers are trained for their duties and are an integral part of the support volunteers provide for patients. When Dr. Hand isn’t making calls to patients, she can be found creating jewelry in her home. Dr. Hand has been making jewelry for fifty years. She is inspired to create her one-of-a-kind pieces because of the joy it brings her and the people who wear them. "I love the meditative aspects of losing myself in creating something unique and valuable for someone who will enjoy wearing it," said Dr. Hand.
Most of her creations are donated and Snowline is grateful to be a recipient of her work over the years. According to Dr. Hand, "Almost all my work over the last 50 years until the 2018 auction has been gifted to people I care about. This is very similar. I am giving the work of my hands as something I can do."
Dr. Hand has been volunteering to call patients, on a weekly basis, as part of Snowline's Tuck-In Caller Program since 2014.
Snowline is looking for additional items for the live and silent auctions. Please consider donating.
Virtual silent auction events have been successful for other organizations. We know that with your volunteer support, Snowline's Silent Auction will be successful in raising needed funds for our veterans, families, and youth. The silent auction will kick-off at 7:00 pm on May 27st, 2021.
Joy in the Moment: A Dog's Tale
pet casting call winners share their stories
1/27/2021
Snowline’s Volunteer Services Department is happy to announce the debut of its Joy-in-the-Moment Film Series. The short film series is designed to spread the simple joys of life, one video at a time. Three community winners from an open pet casting call, which drew over thirty submissions, won the opportunity to feature their pets for the project. The winners were Nancy Houston and her dogs Bo and Daisy, Leila Nagel and her dogs Evie, Etta, and Dasher, and Snowline’s own Kate Craig and her dog Ella.Snowline’s Volunteer Coordinator, Melissa Utermoehlen, and volunteer videographer, Jackie Penn, filmed, edited, and produced a special short film of each pet. The two-minute shorts are available on Snowline’s YouTube Channel and are for patients, families, and the community-at-large. A true joy-in-the-moment experience sure to make tails wag and hearts melt.
Kate and Ella- Joy in the Moment: A Dog’s Tale
Nancy, Bo, and Daisy- Joy in the Moment: A Dog’s Tale
Leila Dasher, Evie, and Etta- Joy in the Moment: A Dog’s Tale
Click here for more information
A Special Message from Snowline CEO
Tim Meadows Message to Donors, Staff, & Supporters
1/07/2021
Goodbye 2020 & Hello 2021!
Last year was undoubtedly the most challenging year the majority of us have ever experienced. COVID pandemic, job losses, business upheavals, home schooling, racial injustice, national protests, contentious elections and wildfires made this time one for the history books. While the past year was very difficult I am hopeful that these trying times caused us to reflect more on what really matters, both personally and professionally, creating opportunity for positive growth and change.
Now that 2021 has arrived it's a relief to glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines are beginning to be successfully administered. If you haven't already done so I encourage everyone to register for COVID vaccines as soon as possible. Different healthcare providers are rapidly putting together plans to start administering the vaccine to the public. The more people that become protected from the virus the quicker we can move safely forward and get back to normal.
HUGE THANK YOU to our front-line clinicians and field staff for your extraordinary courage, perseverance, and resolve you have demonstrated by continuing to care for our patients and their families throughout this crisis. You are exceptional and our community, patients, clients and partners are grateful for your service.
I also thank our administrative and thrift store staff for pivoting, dealing with the curve balls, and continuing to strongly support Snowline's mission and it's frontline caregivers.
Thank you to our Volunteers who have helped when and where you were able within our Thrift Stores, in the office, and with patients when possible. We need you all more than ever in 2021 as we move forward.
Hopefully we will all have the opportunity to meet in person later this year. I sincerely wish everyone of you a bright new year of good health, peace, joy, prosperity and contentment.
Sincerely,
Tim Meadows
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