National Volunteer Week is Sunday, April 21, through Saturday, April 27, 2013. Hospice of the Rock River Valley, a United Way Agency, is honoring its core of dedicated volunteers who provide support, companionship, and dignity to members of the community facing serious and life-limiting illness.
“We could not do the work we do without the gifts of time and talent from our hospice volunteers, who support our organization and walk with patients and families during the journey at life’s end,” said Judy Jellerichs, HRRV Volunteer Coordinator.
Hospice of the Rock River Valley volunteers help the people they serve live every moment of life to the fullest. They enable the organizations they work with to achieve their mission in the community. Most hospice volunteers choose to give their time helping others because of their own experience with the compassionate care hospice provided to a dying loved one.
Hospice volunteers often serve patients and families at the bedside, but they also assist in the office, help raise awareness, contribute to educational programs, and provide fundraising support and more.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports that there are an estimated 450,000 hospice volunteers, providing more than 21 million hours of service to hospice programs each year. More than 1.65 million patients in the U. S. are cared for by hospice every year.
At Hospice of the Rock River Valley, more than 225 volunteers provide 2,800 hours per year in service to HRRV, through direct care or during special projects or events, like the Festival of Trees.
“Hospice volunteers are a valuable component of the compassionate care that HRRV offers to people in our community. Volunteers bring comfort, love, and respect to families who are going through one of life’s most difficult times,” commented Judy Jellerichs, Volunteer Coordinator. “We are pleased that we have this opportunity to honor our hospice volunteers.”
For those interested in learning more about hospice or volunteer opportunities, please visit www.hospicerockriver.org or call 815-288-3673.