Take note of Volunteer Appreciation Week

Right here in our community, 118 trained volunteers are working with Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice and giving selflessly to others nearing the journey at life’s end. They give of themselves to ensure that our friends, neighbors, coworkers under hospice care find dignity, hope and love. Our community is a better more compassionate place because of their service.

April 23 — 29 is National Volunteer Week and every single volunteer deserves our appreciation and grateful acknowledgement.

These volunteers tend to patients at the beside, support family caregivers, help families during one of life’s most stressful periods, raise awareness, provide grief support, fundraise and so much more.

Hospice volunteers make more special moments possible for the patients and families they serve every day and are integral members of the hospice team.

An estimated 430,000 trained volunteers give more than 19 million hours of service every year in hospices across the country, reports the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. During National Volunteer Week, these dedicated individuals deserve our appreciation.

I encourage others to learn more about hospice by contacting us at 360-493-4689.

This story was originally published April 22, 2017 at 7:21 PM with the headline "Take note of Volunteer Appreciation Week."