Death, Dying, Danishes (Bennington)
2026-03-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-15 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Bennington Community Market, 239 Main Street, Bennington, VT, 05201, United States
The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.
Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.
The event is free and open to the public, but purchases are encouraged for host sites.
Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Ed Keating: 802-445-5520 or ed.keating@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Death, Dying, Danishes (Rutland)
2026-03-20 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, 05701, United States
The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.
Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.
The event is free and open to the public.
Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or by emailing at mary.pleasant@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Thrift Shop Saturdays
2026-03-21 10:00 - 14:00 | The Thrift Shop, 5468 Main Street, Manchester, 05255, United States
Join us for Thrift Shop Saturday!From vintage gems to unique finds, you never know what magic you’ll discover! Every purchase helps make a meaningful difference in your community.
Come in and see what treasurers you’ll find!
VNAHSR Thrift Shop5468 Main StreetManchester Center, VT 05255
Regular Hours: Monday–Friday | 11 AM – 3 PM

Franklin County HeartSing Choir Rehearsal
2026-03-26 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-07 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-14 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-21 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-28 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-05 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-12 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-19 17:30 - 19:30 and 1 more date | First Congregational Church, 27 Church St, St. Albans, VT, 05478, United States
Singing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of volunteering, but joining a Hospice Choir can be a very rewarding and meaningful way to give back. Hospice Choirs offer song of healing and comfort at the bedside of hospice patients as a loving gift to those who need support at their most vulnerable time.
For more information, please contact Mary Pleasant, Hospice Volunteer Services Coordinator: mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org or 802-442-0540

Hospice Volunteer Training - Bennington County
2026-03-28 08:00 - 16:00 | Bennington Free Library, 101 Silver Streret, Bennington, VT, 05201, United States
Maybe you’ve had a personal experience with hospice and want to give back. Perhaps you are a student looking to complete community service hours or maybe you simply have a heart for caring. Hospice volunteers are special. They provide invaluable support and in-home care to patients and their families. No matter what your reason for choosing to help us, we’re eager to find a volunteer opportunity that fits with your interests, availability and talents. Join us for our next in-person training session. Preregistration is required.
There are many reasons why people choose to volunteer, and hospice volunteering can provide a meaningful way to give back and help others. Hospice volunteers offer important support and care to patients and their families. You can discuss your interests, availability, and talents with us at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, and we’ll help find a volunteer opportunity that suits you.
For more information, please call or email Mary.
802.442.0540
mary.pleasant@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Hospice Volunteer Training - St. Albans
2026-04-04 08:00 - 16:00 | VNAHSR — St. Albans, 8 N. Main Street, St. Albans, VT, 05751, United States
VNAHSR provides training for those interested in becoming hospice volunteers.

Training is free and open to individuals 16 years of age and older. Volunteers need to pass a background check. No previous hospice and health care experience is required. Pre-registration is required.

At the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR), volunteers play a critical role in enhancing the end-of-life experiences of people facing serious illness and their families. Volunteers represent all life experiences and are drawn to hospice for a variety of reasons, but the defining characteristics that unite them are compassion and the desire to help others. Their many skills are matched to important tasks within our mission.

Once training is complete, assignments and schedules are tailored to the volunteer’s geographic and time commitment preferences.

Training Topics include:• Understanding the Hospice philosophy of care• Knowing boundaries when interacting with patients and families• Communicating with patients and families• Understanding basic health and safety precautions• Understanding patient confidentiality

The Benefit of Becoming a Hospice VolunteerWhile our volunteers make a tremendous impact on the lives of our patients, families and staff, we hear time and again that they, too, benefit from their hospice experiences. Among the things they mention are:• Increased appreciation for living life in the moment and defining what is really important• Greater knowledge and more inner peace about the end-of-life experience• Greater insight about diversity and the different perspectives among cultures• Heightened sense of fulfillment and pride because of their contributions to patients and families and to the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region.

For more information or to register call Mary at 802.442.0540 or email at mary.pleasant@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Death, Dying, Danishes (N. Bennington)
2026-04-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-05 11:30 - 13:30 | Pangaea, 3 Prospect Street, N. Bennington, 05257, United States
VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.The event is free and open to the public, but purchases are encouraged for host sites.Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or by emailing at mary.pleasant@vnahsr.orgVNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.The event is free and open to the public, but purchases are encouraged for host sites.Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or by emailing at mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org

Advance Directives Workshop: St. Albans
2026-04-13 11:00 - 13:00 | St Albans Senior Center, 75 Messenger Street, St. Albans City, VT, United States
What is it?A workshop focusing on answering questions about the Vermont Ethics Network’s Advance Directive Short Form. If the form is completed during the workshop, participants may upload the form to the Vermont Advance Directive Registry for review and acceptance.

To review the form before the workshop go to www.vtethicsnetwork.org/forms for access.

Space is limited, advanced registration is required.

Who facilitates it?Wendy Scott

RSVP here.802-442-0540mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org

Advance Directive Workshop Series - Bennington Senior Center
2026-04-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Bennington Senior Center – Bennington, VT, 124 Pleasant Street #3, Bennington, Vermont, 05201, United States
Simple, Step-by-Step Planning for Your Health Care Wishes
This community workshop series walks through the VT Ethics Network Short Form Advance Directive one section at a time. Each session focuses on a single topic, allowing participants to learn at a comfortable pace, ask questions, and reflect on what matters most to them. You may attend one workshop or the full series. No medical or legal background is required.
Location: Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St #3, Bennington, VT 05201
Facilitators: Ed Keating, Kathy Clark, and Carol Steinmetz (Volunteers – VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region)
Workshop 3: Your Health Care Goals & What Matters to You
Explore quality of life, comfort, treatment goals, spiritual wishes, and care preferences.
Sponsored by: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, Bennington, VT
For more information or to register: Ed Keating
Email: Ed.Keating@vnahsr.org | Phone: 802-445-5520

Advance Directives Workshop: Richford
2026-04-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Arvin A Brown Public Library, 88 Main Street, Richford, VT, 05476, United States

Rutland Bereavement Group
2026-04-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Casella Conference Room, 7 Albert Cree Drive, Rutland, VT, 05701
Join us for a free bereavement support group facilitated by Braden Etcheson, Hospice Chaplin, at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region.

Bereavement Support groups offer participants a space to process their grief, share and receive helpful coping strategies and create a community with others walking a similar path.

Free and available to the community.

We also offer individual bereavement counseling, please contact Braden:
braden.etcheson@vnahsr.org | 802-855-4453

Advance Directive Workshop (Rutland)
2026-04-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, 05701, United States
What is it?
A workshop focusing on answering questions about the Vermont Ethics Network’s Advance Directive Short Form. If the form is completed during the workshop, participants may upload the form to the Vermont Advance Directive Registry for review and acceptance.

To review the form before the workshop go to www.vtethicsnetwork.org/forms.

Space is limited, advanced registration is required.

Who facilitates it? Nicole DeNoyers

Contact Nicole DeNoyers to sign up: 802.369.9440 | nicole.denoyers@vnahsr.org

Advance Directive 2-Hour Workshop: Understanding the Advance Directive
2026-04-18 09:30 - 11:30 | Bennington Free Library, 101 Silver Streret, Bennington, VT, 05201, United States
A structured, step-by-step workshop reviewing each section of the Short Form Advance Directive. Learn what the form means, what decisions are involved, and how to begin completing it with confidence.

Free community workshops designed to help you complete a Short Form Advance Directive (VT Ethics Network) with clarity, confidence, and support. Each workshop is 2 hours in length.

–————
Facilitated by Ed Keating
End of Life, Grief & Bereavement Specialist
Hospice Volunteer
Bereavement Volunteer
RSVP to ed.keating@vnahsr.org 802-445-5520
Date: Saturday April 18, 2026 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Bennington Free Library, Rotary Room, 101 Silver St. Bennington VT 05201

Death, Dying, Danishes (Manchester)
2026-04-21 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-05-19 17:00 - 18:30 | Manchester Community Library, 138 Cemetery Avenue, Manchester Center, VT, 05255, United States
VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.
Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere and share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.
The event is free and open to the publics.
Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or by emailing at mary.pleasant@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Hospice Volunteer Training - Rutland County
2026-05-08 08:30 - 16:30 | Fair Haven Public Library, 107 N. Main Street, Fair Haven, United States

Advance Directive Workshop Series - Bennington Senior Center
2026-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Bennington Senior Center – Bennington, VT, 124 Pleasant Street #3, Bennington, Vermont, 05201, United States
Simple, Step-by-Step Planning for Your Health Care Wishes
This community workshop series walks through the VT Ethics Network Short Form Advance Directive one section at a time. Each session focuses on a single topic, allowing participants to learn at a comfortable pace, ask questions, and reflect on what matters most to them. You may attend one workshop or the full series. No medical or legal background is required.
Location: Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St #3, Bennington, VT 05201
Facilitators: Ed Keating, Kathy Clark, and Carol Steinmetz (Volunteers – VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region)
Workshop 4: Understanding Medical Treatment Choices
Plain-language explanations of CPR, breathing machines, feeding tubes, and other common treatments.
Sponsored by: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, Bennington, VT
For more information or to register: Ed Keating
Email: Ed.Keating@vnahsr.org | Phone: 802-445-5520
