Grant award from Poland Spring Water supports patient care

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AHCH RECEIVES GIFT — From left are Julie Shackley, AHCH President/CEO and Heather McBean, Education and Outreach Manager, Poland Spring Water Company.

LEWISTON — Heather McBean, Education and Outreach Manager for Poland Springs Water Company recently presented a $1,000 gift to Julie Shackley, AHCH President/CEO. The grant will be dedicated to supporting care provided to patients at the Hospice House who do not have health insurance coverage, or their insurance does not cover the level of care provided at the Hospice House.

“It is a growing need,” explains Julie Shackley, AHCH President/CEO. “Last year, we provided more than $49,000 in subsidized care at the Hospice House.” She continues, “The core of our community service mission is to provide needed hospice care and support to individuals regardless of their ability to pay. Thanks to the generous support of corporations like Poland Springs Water we continue to be able to meet the needs of these patients and provide emotional support for their families at a critical time in their lives.”

“Poland Spring is proud to do our small part to support people and families in need at the Hospice House,” said Heather McBean. “No family faced with the serious illness of a loved one should ever have to worry about accessing the critical end of life care that’s needed because they can’t afford it. Poland Spring respects the work that Androscoggin Home Health Care & Hospice does for local families and their mission to serve every patient in need.”

Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice is Maine’s largest nonprofit, Medicare-certified agency. The Agency annually provides skilled home care, supportive care, and hospice care for nearly 8,000 residents of central, western, and portions of mid-coast Maine. In November 2005, AHCH opened Maine’s first inpatient hospice facility. The 14-bed facility is located in Auburn. AHCH meets all State home care and hospice licensing standards, and is accredited by the Joint Commission. For more information please visit http://www.ahch.org/.

Since 1845, Poland Spring has been investing in Maine and creating good jobs using an abundant, renewable resource. Today, Poland Spring operates three bottling plants in Poland Spring, Hollis and Kingfield. The Kingfield facility, which officially opened in January 2009, represents a $60 million investment and 40+ new jobs in western Maine. Poland Spring operates additional spring sources in Fryeburg, Poland, Dallas Plantation, Pierce Pond Township and St. Albans. Most recently, Poland Spring invested $4.1 million in a spring water station project in Fryeburg and Denmark. Today Poland Spring employs nearly 800 full-time and seasonal workers across Maine; has invested nearly $500 million in capital in Maine since 1998; contributes nearly $40 million to the economy in annual payroll; spends almost $65 million directly with other Maine companies each year and has invested over $3.2 million in community giving since 2000 to support schools, fire and rescue, environmental conservation and many local and statewide causes. For more information, please visit http://www.PolandSpringWorksforMaine.com.