Insights

Giving back to the community is the mission of the National Charity League. The mother and daughter philanthropy league are dedicated Snowline Community Volunteers. Their passion to support Snowline's Mission extends to serving weekly at our thrift stores, volunteering at numerous special events, and writing for our Sunshine Letter Program.
The mothers and daughters of the EL Dorado Hills Chapter of the National Charity League wrote 600 Sunshine Letters for patients and families of Snowline. Julia Carle, Chapter Liaison, delivered the large boxes of colorful letters to our Diamond Springs office where they were processed by a group of administrative volunteers. Putting pen to paper for the letter-writing endeavor lead some of the league members to share their personal stories of grief, resilience, and service.
"For our family it was a bit about giving back and a bit about healing. Last Christmas my Father-in-law was diagnosed with Stage IV inoperable Brain Cancer. We went from a normal Thanksgiving to Hospice care just after Christmas. He was gone by February 6th. I know how hard this time was on our family and in a way, we were lucky his illness was so fast. Some deal with this for much longer. We just wanted to do something that gave back. Even though Snowline was not our hospice provider, it was a way to say Thank You and help out those who are dealing with this." - Samantha
"This past weekend we set out to make some cards for people in hospice care and our goal was to deliver some colors and joy to them. It’s often said that when life seems overwhelming, look at someone who drew an even shorter stick to bring some perspective and gratitude into your life. In this process of playing with colors, making mess and finding messages of hope, faith and peace, I’m no longer sure who was helping whom, who brought joy to whom... think it was these resilient souls who are still burning bright with their quiet strength who are the beacon of hope for the rest of us... the journey, as they say, is still unfolding." - Shalini
"We were honored to be part of something so special and hope that we might brighten someone’s day. Making these cards was extra special for my family since my mom (and girls grandmother) was on hospice a few years ago and received the most wonderful care from Snowline." - Wynter
" I think it's important to write these letters with our daughters to help us build a sense of awareness, perspective, and empathy. It opened up conversations between us that we had never had before." - Jolene
 

This year our own Dr. Ellinwood will be the recipient of the COMPASSIONATE CARE LEADERSHIP AWARD | INDIVIDUAL – Awarded by the California Coalition for Compassionate Care which honors an individual who has emerged as a leader in palliative and end of life care in California, and whose work has resulted in improved care for seriously-ill patients and their families. 

To read the full article visit https://ccccsummit.org/compassionate-care-leadership-awards/

The Board of Directors of Snowline Hospice of El Dorado County is pleased to announce the appointment of Timothy Meadows as the organization’s next chief executive officer. Meadows brings to the position a wealth of knowledge and an array of experiences in the health care and retail thrift store industries. He will join Snowline on August 31, 2020.

Immediately prior to this role at Snowline, Meadows successfully served as the Hospice Administrator for Sutter Care at Home in Roseville.  He currently sits on the Sacramento Hospice Consortium board of directors.

Meadows holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing from San Jose State University. He has several post education certificates in Executive Leadership including Stanford University Graduate School of Business LEAD Corporate Innovation program. Meadows is looking forward to this new role at Snowline and the ability to serve a community he knows well.

"Snowline's organization impressed me in so many areas including the passionate dedication and high caliber of its people, family satisfaction scores, quality outcomes, growth trends and its strong financial performance.  I love Snowline's dedication to our community and the supportive role it provides. My experience leading a non-profit hospice provider in El Dorado, Sacramento, and Placer counties closely matches Snowline's current footprint and I look forward to leading it into the future"

Craig Kuehn, Board President of Snowline, says he and the rest of the Board of Directors are delighted to have Meadows join Snowline as its next CEO. “Meadows’ background in Hospice Care and corresponding Thrift Store operations, coupled by his knowledge of our community, will ensure that Snowline enjoys continued success in its mission of serving the community by supporting patients near end of life and guiding loved ones through grief. “

Meadows is taking over from Michael Schmidt, who served as executive director and then CEO and retired Snowline earlier this year. “The Board of Directors would like to thank Schmidt for his leadership over the last 10 years and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors” says Kuehn.

State by State Quotes, Sunshine Letters 2020

We have received over 1200 letters from 42 states

Arizona  Know that we are thinking of you and are sending you
thoughts of joy and happiness.

Arkansas I have been painting lately. I have always loved art but never thought I could do it. I am 68 now and giving it a go. It has brought so much joy to my life.

California What a joy it is to see the golden rays of sunshine trickle through the leaves of my black walnut tree. If you were here you would hear the chattering of the squirrels and the chirping of the hummingbirds.

Colorado I am so enjoying the change in the season and can feel the sunshine through the window. We are thinking of you. Know your Snowline care team is here for you.

Connecticut Today I watched a frog as it sat still in the pond in my backyard. Was it searching for a fly or just enjoying the cool waters? it makes me laugh to wonder.

Delaware I hope your mood is brightened by this letter. May you truly feel the sunshine in your heart.

Florida Summer is right around the corner which means the smell of sunscreen and saltwater will be in the air in Florida.

Georgia Nature is an amazing gift. It always reminds me to pause and appreciate what life is about.

Hawaii It is nice to meet you. I wanted to let you know you have so many people thinking of you! Even strangers such as I. To make it even more amazing, the call to write letters for you and those in similar situations has reached all the way to Hawaii.

Idaho Today I planted lavender in my garden. I will use it to make homemade tea and candles.

Illinois My mother taught me how to bake. I am now passing that on to my own daughter. Yesterday, we made scones. I wish you could smell them from here.

Indiana The air is ripe with Golden Iris’ and purple violets.

Iowa Have you ever gone fishing in the rain? Yesterday I went and it was magnificent.

Kansas You are in my thoughts. Know that you are so very special.

Kentucky

Louisiana I wake every morning with the birds. I think they must be telling me it is time to start my day. If I am in a silly mood I answer them back.

Maine The days here have been quite beautiful. One of my favorite things to do is watch this old oak tree in my yard as the leaves dance in the wind.

Maryland Know someone from Maryland is thinking of you. We may be on different coasts but we are all living under the same sunshine.

Massachusetts We are all connected to each other in this great big world.

Michigan You matter. You are loved. Keep smiling and pass it on.

Minnesota The flowers are budding -- such a great sight after a long hard winter.

Mississippi I hope you know that this letter comes from the bottom of my heart.

Missouri We went for a drive the other evening to watch the sun go down. I forgot how beautiful the summer sun is when it sets.

Nevada Know you are a gift to the people around you.

New Hampshire I watched my grandson yesterday. He is just turned three. I asked him to tell me something to say to you. He said “ I want to be a dinosaur when I grow up” I laughed and laughed.

New Jersey I hope you get the chance to enjoy the warmth and days of sunshine as well.

New Mexico I’ve always loved art and learning how to paint and draw. My pets are my subjects. They just don’t know how to sit still.

New York We all need support and encouragement one time or another in our lifetime. I want you to know that there are so many people who care and are thinking about you.

North Carolina I have been watching a family of geese and goslings grow. It reminds me how beautiful life can be.

North Dakota

Ohio I can’t believe the heat of the season is already here. The sounds of kids playing their summer games outside reminds me to enjoy it.

Oklahoma We are enjoying the summer even though, here in Oklahoma, the heat could “fry an egg on the sidewalk”.

Oregon We cook a lot in my family. Tonight we had stew and bread my daughter made. Great meal but now it is time for the dishes.

Pennsylvania Remember to keep your head held high and look on the bright side.

Rhode Island I’ve been watching caterpillars on my patio. It is amazing to watch how quickly they can weave a cacoon.

South Carolina It is always so nice to get a letter in the mail. I hope you enjoy this one all the way from South Carolina.

Tennessee One of my favorite parts about spring is looking out the window and watching all the flowers bloom and grow. Nature Is beautiful and persistent.

Texas I’ve been planting my garden with tomatoes and green beans. It has been a joy to watch them grow.

Utah I am wishing you days of sunshine and joy as summer approaches.

Virginia We read poetry in the evening. It is one of my favorite things to do. I hope you are able to read something you love today.

Washington Here for you and here for everything. My heart is with you during these times.

West Virginia You are loved.

Wisconsin I take walks with my dog after work. Well, really my dog takes me for a walk. He is a Great Dane and his name is Sir Charles.

Wyoming Do know that your Snowline team is here for you. We all are.

Snowline honored patients and caregivers with a very special gift for Father’s Day. Twenty-three acrylic paintings by Davis artist, Marta Juliao, were delivered by Snowline Volunteers to individuals across El Dorado and Sacramento counites.

Ms. Juliao learned about Snowline after seeing a news segment about the organization’s Sunshine Letter program that is an outreach to patients. She was eager to contribute to Snowline in some way. Snowline’s Volunteer Department asked the artist to create individual paintings that could be given to patients and caregivers for Father’s Day. Ms. Juliao was thrilled to give patients such a precious gift. “I was given this talent of painting and it only feels right to give it to others.” Ms. Juliao painted every day for a month to meet the challenge of creating the paintings. Her work is saturated in vivid colors that pay homage to the iconic landscapes of California. She is dedicated to her community and is always looking for opportunities to create art and uplift others. Ms. Juliao can be reached at martajuliao@yahoo.com.

Volunteers from the El Dorado Chapter of the National Charity League carefully giftwrapped each painting, and Snowline Courier Volunteers delivered the gifts to patient’s doorsteps. The team effort is a testament to the specialized care Snowline provides for its patients. A central component of Snowline’s mission is serving our community by supporting patients near end- of- life. “It is remarkable to see the community donate their valuable time to our mission. It is because of everyone involved that we were able to honor fathers in our care,” said Volunteer Coordinator Melissa Utermoehlen. Snowline is grateful for the continued generosity of the community to support patients and their families.