Hamburg United Methodist Church Respite Program

11/16/2025

November thoughts in honor of National Family Caregiver’s month.

11/13/2025

What a Duo!

11/13/2025

New faces, filled with smiles! That’s what we love to see at the Hamburg United Methodist Church respite program. We welcomed three new guests and four new volunteers today to the program.
We had a great time with Thor the wonder therapy dog and his human Lynn, a visit from the Little Lamb preschool kids who did a little song and dance for us, action packed bingo, a fun little Thanksgiving craft, sing along time, a delightful lunch of Sloppy Joes, mac & cheese, and delicious cookies made by our friend Kyle Seavers, and I think the highlight of the day was a visit from Popcorn, a Rowandale Farm Goat brought by our friend Alice Clarkson. Popcorn is just a four month old mini La Mancha goat, and is a sweet cuddler who interacted and had a great connection with all of our folks. The day may have been damp and chilly, but our hearts were warmed by her visit!

11/06/2025

My friend Daphne Johnson has been starting programs down in the southern part of the United States and has done a documentary on them. She’s a dear friend and somewhat of a twin to me. We met years ago and instantly became great friends with a shared vision. You can go to their website to view it: www.respiteforall.org

We have 17 ministries across Alabama and almost 70 across the country. We are eagerly looking forward to sharing our story! Please join us. 🩷

10/10/2025

17 years ago on October 9 we set sail on the maiden voyage of the Hamburg United Methodist Church “R” Gang Respite Program. $1000 to purchase craft supplies and activity items had been awarded by Stan Hooper, a pillar of our church, to fund the idea of an all volunteer program for folks with dementia and their caregivers. The idea I had was that caregivers could drop their loved ones off with us for four hours under supervised, trained volunteers and attend to their own needs, getting a much needed break, or “respite”.
The program was so successful that I was asked to start more programs just like it in various churches. Last month, I helped start the 36th program on Clinton Street at Friendship Baptist Church.
I thank all that have helped us along the way with this ministry that benefits so many.
I give thanks to all the committed, dedicated volunteers that help out these programs, because without them, there would be no program.
I thank all of our funders from the United Methodist women, to the United Methodist men, to the Missions committee of HUMC, Erie County Senior Services, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Health Foundation of Central and Western New York and all the private individuals that send donations, not because they’ve been asked for them, but because they want to support the program. There has never been a charge to attend this program.
This ministry/program has been such a blessing to all, so thank you all for being what we are called to be as Christians, the hands and feet of Jesus.
Cheers to many more years!

10/09/2025

The path of caregiving can often feel overwhelming, leading to numerous questions. We're here to help and will do our best to offer the answers you seek. Submit your question to "Dear Doris" here! https://www.nyscrc.org/ask-questions

10/09/2025

Fall Fun was on the agenda today for our respite program! We had a therapy dog visit from recently certified Maeve and her human Mo, a fun Halloween craft decorating pumpkins, a spectacular lunch with hamburger soup, cheese stuffed celery, crusty bread and a fabulous pumpkin dessert prepared by Cheryl Bell and Ellen Ramsdell.
After lunch, we played bingo and then Barb Meader and Rollin Shoemaker led us in our sing-along hour.
We also welcomed 3 new volunteers who said they’d be back and had lots of fun!

09/10/2025

Today was Buffalo Bills appreciation day! Everybody was on board for all Bills, all day. We started out our day with red white and blue Buffalo Bills cut out cookies and pastry hearts, and then got right to work on our Buffalo Bills mural. We made fireworks explode on the base of the mural, using technical painting, techniques, like broccoli florettes, toilet paper rolls along with straws. Then everybody chose different iconic shapes to color to apply to the mural. Our therapy dog Thor even got in on the act and his paw print is evident on the mural. The finished product was very inspiring to anybody that loves the Buffalo Bills, and who doesn’t?
We had a delicious lunch and dessert provided by Midge, arousing game of bingo, where everyone won a prize and
Josh Allen was even there hanging out for the day, lol. He helped Rollin lead the sing-along time and then posed graciously for a group photo.
Our finished mural will hang in the gathering space at church along with a summary description of what our program is all about. We will be celebrating 17 years of our respite program in October of bringing a much needed break to caregivers of folks with dementia.
As Josh Allen says, “be good, do good,God bless! Go Bills!” Thanks to everyone on our team that makes this happen every month!

08/25/2025

RIP Burt, we will miss your gentle camaraderie. He joined us each month, coming all the way from West Valley!
I’m so glad that you got to enjoy a treat from the ice cream truck the last month you were here. Prayers lifted for the family for comfort and peace.

08/16/2025

Interview: New developments in Alzheimer's research

08/13/2025

Eve Roushey and Halle Edwards

08/13/2025

Duet