“Hospice of the Carolina Foothills volunteers are the very heart of hospice care,” said CEO Jean Eckert, who has been with the organization for 31 of its 32 years.
Eckert has gotten to know and appreciate a lot of volunteers over the years.
On Tuesday, April 23, during National Volunteer Week, current volunteers were recognized for their dedication to the organization’s mission to “promote and provide compassionate end-of-life care, meeting the medical, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and their families.”
At a luncheon held at the Landrum United Methodist Church, they were celebrated through food, song, tributes, applause and hugs.
Eckert, Board Chairman Bill Jenks and Volunteer Services Manager Jean Pearson thanked volunteers for the 22,644 hours they provided in 2012; for the 91,566 miles they put on their personal automobiles; and for the $401,607.92 they saved the organization.
“Their help is priceless,” said Pearson, “whether they are singing with a patient, visiting with a “Caring Canine,” greeting visitors at the Hospice House, making a call to a bereaved caregiver, helping with office tasks, sewing, baking, raising money, representing Hospice in their church or at a community festival, cutting hair, cleaning items that are donated to the Thrift Barn, or serving on the board of directors. Every single volunteer makes a difference to the families in the North and South Carolina communities we serve. If you are interested in joining this special group of volunteers, call Jean Pearson at 828- 894-2881, or assistant volunteer services manager Rebecca Farmer at 864-457-9125.
“You will never regret it,” said Cam Lawrence, a church liaison, and one of the founding members of HCF 32 years ago.
– article submitted by Marsha VanHecke