Mahaska Hospice Donates Bereavement Books
The Oskaloosa Public Library is one of four local libraries receiving bereavement books donated by the Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary. Shown at the book presentation are, from left: MHP Social Worker Julie Glass; Mahaska Hospice Past President Diane Davis; Oskaloosa Public Library Director William Ottens; and MHP Home Health and Hospice Director Anne Hildreth.
MAHASKA COUNTY – The death of a loved one is often very painful for those left behind, regardless of their age. How a person grieves the loss is a personal and individual experience.
To help people dealing with bereavement, the Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary donated a wide variety of books about grief to the Oskaloosa Public Library, William Penn Wilcox Library, New Sharon Public Library and Eddyville Public Library.
Julie Glass, a social worker for Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services, helped the Auxiliary choose the books for donation. She said 16 different books about bereavement were donated to each of the libraries.
“It was important to have books for people of all ages, from helping children to grieve and grow, books teens can read themselves to heal their grieving heart, to finding your way after a spouse dies,” Glass explained. “These books are good for parents and educators as well as those personally dealing with grief.”
According to Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary Past President Diane Davis, having good reading material regarding grief and the bereavement process helps not only hospice family members, but anyone in the community dealing with a significant loss. “Having these books available at our local libraries makes them accessible to more community members,” Davis explained. “The Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary is pleased to be able to support helping to educate the community on grief and bereavement to help people through an extremely difficult time.”
The Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary was established in 1984 and has been a valuable aid to MHP Hospice Services. It boasts a membership of more than 150 community volunteers who serve hospice with fundraising events and support services. The next major fundraiser the group is sponsoring is the Chair Affair in the spring of 2014.
“If you are interested in joining the Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary, please call MHP Hospice Services at 641.672.3260 and they will send you a membership form. Dues are $10 a year, and your support truly makes a difference to the lives of your friends, neighbors and loved ones.”
