National Volunteer Week is Sunday, April 10, through Saturday, April 16, 2016. Hospice of the Rock River Valley, a United Way Agency, is celebrating the many gifts of its dedicated volunteers from our community. They provide support, companionship, and dignity to patients and family caregivers 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 Becky Highbarger, HRRV Volunteer Coordinator.
HRRV volunteers help the people they serve live every moment of life to the fullest. 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.
Volunteers often serve patients and families at the bedside. They also assist in the office, contribute to educational programs, and provide fundraising support and more.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports that there are an estimated 430,000 trained hospice volunteers, providing more than 19 million hours of service to hospice programs each year. An estimated 1.6-to-1.7 million patients in the U. S. are cared for by hospice every year.
“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 Emily Taylor, Executive Director. “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 815-625-6152.