If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a hospice volunteer, please plan to attend one of Rainbow Hospice Care’s next volunteer informational meetings that will be held on Monday, February 13. To make it more convenient for more people, two meetings have been scheduled—one at 2:00 p.m. and another at 6:00 p.m.—both at the new Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center located at 1225 Remmel Drive in Johnson Creek.

“We know people are very curious about what hospice volunteers actually do,” explains Rhonda White, Rainbow Hospice Care’s volunteer coordinator. “However, they often assume the work is difficult or depressing and therefore hesitate to find out more. These meetings give people an easy way to learn what the true volunteer experience is like.

“Of course, we hope the information we provide will inspire others to join our team,” adds White. “More volunteers are always needed and very much appreciated. We are serving more people than ever before, and as time goes on, we expect numbers to continue growing,” says White.

There are many different volunteer opportunities from which to choose. In addition to direct support roles like companionship and care-giving support to patients and families, volunteers also assist by running errands, providing child care, house and yard work, helping with pets, etc. There’s always need for help with special events, fundraising activities, and administrative work like mailings, phone calls and filing, too. All volunteers receive extensive training before they are given any assignment and no one is obligated to take on something they aren’t interested in doing.

It is federally mandated under Medicare that five percent of all patient-care hours be provided by trained volunteers. This regulation reflects the vital role that volunteers play in the hospice philosophy of care and ensures that a hospice program has roots deep in the community. Here in Jefferson County and the surrounding area, nearly 120 volunteers help Rainbow Hospice care for patients and families in our community.

“Rainbow Hospice volunteers come from all walks of life,” explains White. “They range in age from 18 to 80, each with their own individual interests and reasons to get involved. One thing they all agree on is that the work they do is very, very fulfilling—they feel they always get more from the experience than they give. We could never provide the kind of care we do without our volunteers,” says White. “Our community is very fortunate to have so many generous people willing to serve in this way.”

To learn more about Rainbow Hospice Care’s volunteer program, please contact Rhonda White by calling (920) 674-6255, or email: Rhonda.white@rainbowhospicecare.org.