“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.