PORTLAND — Hospice of Southern Maine is excited to once again light up Deering Oaks Park in Portland for its Twilight in the Park community remembrance event. Beginning at dusk on Saturday, Sept. 28 near the park bridge, thousands of luminarias will be lit to honor those who have passed.
The event is free and open to the community, and $15 to order a personalized luminaria. Anyone may dedicate a personalized luminaria in memory of someone who has died, or in honor of someone special in their life, and Hospice of Southern Maine will place it at the event. Luminarias are $15 and may be purchased online, at the event, or by calling 207-289-3643. Orders must be received by Sept. 16 to have it placed in advance. Walk-in orders on the night of the event are also welcome. The lighting of the luminarias will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a brief program at 6:30 p.m.
“Many people find coming together with others after a loss to be a profound and transformative part of the healing process. It is our honor and privilege to offer this free, community-wide event to provide comfort and connection,” said Daryl Cady, CEO of Hospice of Southern Maine.
In addition to providing hospice care to its patients, Hospice of Maine also offers grief support at no cost to anyone in the community.
Hospice of Southern Maine is a non-profit organization with the mission to provide compassion, care, and comfort through end of life. Formed through a collaborative effort among York and Cumberland County leaders and health care providers, Hospice of Southern Maine organized in 2001 and began providing direct patient services in 2004. Today, HSM cares for nearly 2,000 patients annually, at the patient’s home, current care facility, and Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, an 18-suite inpatient facility in Scarborough. HSM admits patients with a variety of diagnoses, including Alzheimer’s; heart, lung, and kidney diseases; stroke; Lou Gehrig’s disease; and cancer. Care is patient-centered with family support and provided by a comprehensive interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, aides, chaplains, grief counselors, and volunteers. Hospice of Southern Maine is a non-profit 501(c)3, Medicare certified state licensed agency, and the largest independent provider of hospice services in Southern Maine. To learn more, visit www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org.
