Getting Started: Two Beginnings...

Over the past few weeks, I've had the opportunity to get two of our three new volunteers started in their work as hospice volunteers:  Kathy and Sue.  Kathy was the first to get an assignment, in response to a request for light housekeeping.  This was a little different from our usual requests for companionship or caregiver relief, but very much within the mission our volunteer program.

Accompanying Kathy on her first visit, my heart really went out to this family.  Here was an elderly woman, recovering from recent back surgery and barely able to get around the house trying to care for her terminally ill son.  It seemed as though she needed much more help than what she was requesting, but Kathy and I would do our best that day to help where we could.

So Kathy and I set about the house dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, taking out trash, cleaning mirrors, and just about anything else we could think of to spruce up the place.  It was a gratifying experience helping the family out that day; nice to be able to lend a hand and to introduce Kathy into the world of hospice service.  For her part, Kathy did a great job and enjoyed herself as well.  She took some time to speak with the caregiver about when she would be returning on her own for her next visit.  Kathy has been back several times since then, and reports how much she accomplished and how nice the family has been.  She's been a huge help.

Next came Sue's turn to begin her hospice volunteering.  She was assigned to a patient residing in a long term care facility.  He's a very pleasant man in his eighties, frail and suffering from dementia.  During her initial visit, Sue also met the patient's daughter-in-law, who was making her usual friendly visit to see him.  Both the patient and his daughter-in-law were taken by Sue's bright and cheery nature, and were pleased that Sue will be their volunteer, visiting on a regular basis.  This was especially important to the daughter-in-law, who is a teacher and will be returning to work soon, and won't be able to visit quite so often.  And I, too was taken by Sue's enthusiasm and friendliness, greeting everyone she passed with a pleasant "hi" and a wave, and I couldn't be happier that she chose to join the ranks of our volunteer program.


Looking back on the last few weeks and reflecting on Kathy and Sue's new beginnings in the world of hospice volunteering, I once again feel a sense of how lucky I am to be a hospice volunteer coordinator.  To have the task of bringing in new people, preparing them for service to others, and then putting them together with those who need help, is a wonderful task indeed!

If you'd like information on how you can be a part of our hospice volunteer team, please contact me, Andy Wichorek, at awichorek@msa-corp.com, or (804)282-4301.  If you'd like to be a hospice volunteer but don't live in Central Virginia, please contact your local hospice today--it'll change your life-it sure changed mine!