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Volunteer Appreciation Week

This week, April 19-25, 2020, is Volunteer Appreciation Week!

Join us as we celebrate our volunteers and highlight the important work they do each day.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Visit our Volunteer page for a link to the online application and to learn more about volunteering.

Apr 19, 2020

“My experiences as a hospice volunteer have made me a better person than I was when I started volunteering.”

Phil’s story: What am I thankful for?

“From my volunteer experiences of one-on-one time with patients, I am thankful for the opening of the eyes, the turning of the head and sometimes even a sound of welcome from a stroke-disfigured mouth as I enter a room. And, usually following an acknowledgment of my presence, there will come a brightening of the eyes or an attempt to smile though drawn and twisted lips.

Do they perhaps remember a moment of happiness or a laugh or two that we have shared?

When I see a response to my presence in a patient’s room, that is my reward, my paycheck, the motivation that keeps me coming back. Yes, I know that I’m supposed to be giving, but my getting outweighs my giving many times over! So, what am I thankful for? My experiences as a hospice volunteer have made me a better person than I was when I started volunteering. Thank you for making me a better person.”

Volunteers make a difference

Phil’s story highlights the same sentiments that many of our volunteers share, whether they are in their 20s or their 90s. Their experiences are the same.

Volunteers perform a variety of supportive tasks for patients and families or for team members in our administrative offices. For those who visit patients wherever they call home, support may come in the form of a listening ear, respite for the caregiver, or running errands. Additionally, volunteers visit patients at our inpatient units – Hospice Home at High Point and the Randolph Hospice House – and perform a variety of administrative duties at our offices.

Your turn

Would you consider joining those who are making a difference each day? Those who are gaining valuable insights and experiences through their time as a hospice volunteer? Send us a message through our Contact Us form. We’d love to talk with you more about becoming a hospice volunteer, especially this week as we are celebrating volunteers.

Want to complete an application? Visit our Volunteer page for a link to the online application and to learn more about volunteering.

Your entire team was amazing. They are very professional in their work but also have big hearts and it comes through in how they do their work and in their positive attitudes.

- Daughter of patient

Thank you for making your home like her home, warm and comfortable.

- Sister of a patient (in reference to Hospice Home)

Your kindness and efforts go far beyond the patients and extend to their families and friends.

- Family of a patient

Everyone who cared for my wife was, without exception, caring, kind, and exceptionally capable individuals who seemed to truly care about her well-being and care.

- Husband of a patient

Your staff (at Hospice Home) was confident, thoughtful, kind and very loving to my mom. When we couldn’t be there or take care of her needs, you took care of her.

- Son of a patient

My mother spent her last days in your facility. I want to thank you for the gifts you gave to her and our family. The dignity, caring, professionalism, and kindness will remain a bright part of our saying goodbye to our mother.

- Daughter of a patient

My family and I would not have made it without Hospice.

- Daughter of a patient

For many veterans, military service is the most important thing that they have done in their lives.” As part of We Honor Veterans, those patients are now paired with a volunteer who also served in the military and share a common bond.

- Joe Lyons, Hospice volunteer

Thank you for all of your care, concern, education and kindness during Mom’s last year. My grief journey has had a lighter backpack because of Hospice.

- A patient’s daughter

Their touch, their time, their words were the comfort of a lifetime.

- A patient’s family

We were privileged to have the support of (Hospice)…They nurtured and cared for my husband as if he was their only patient.

- Wife of a patient

Me consuela saber que mi esposa tuvo los mejores cuidados gracias a Hospice. La ayudaron a ella y a nuestra familia en todas las maneras posibles.

- Marido de un paciente

I thank God for putting good people in the right job for people like me.

- Patient family member

We were so impressed by your staff and your desire to help us. No one wants to need Hospice, but when a person does, it is a tremendous blessing. Thanks again for the care you gave my dad, and ultimately all of us.

- Daughter of a patient

I would like to say that you have a beautiful Hospice Home. It is so nice and serene. I love the “quiet spots” that you can go to and meditate. Thank you so much in helping make my mother’s last days on this earth a little better and comforting.

- Daughter of a patient