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Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare Recognizes Volunteers

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare recently recognized its volunteers through two drive-by volunteer recognition events, which were held at its Millersburg and Wooster offices. The events highlighted the involvement of the 160 volunteers who have continued to volunteer in any way they can during the past 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Our volunteers are truly the heart of hospice care,” said Rebecca McCurdy, manager of Volunteer Services at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. “Volunteers are an integral part of our team of care and do a great deal to enhance the quality of life of our patients in the last season of their lives, both directly and in support of our organization as a whole.”

Volunteers provide a variety of services throughout the community. They give their time to caring for patients in their homes, in area nursing facilities, and in the Stanley and Flo Gault Inpatient Pavilion at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. 

“Our volunteers support our bereavement program, deliver supplies to our patients, offer animal-assisted therapy, Pet Peace of Mind services, music, and spiritual support,” McCurdy said. “In addition, as part of the American Pride® Veteran Care by Ohio’s Hospice program, our Veteran volunteers provide Vet-to-Vet companionship and perform Veteran recognition ceremonies to honor the service of Veteran patients.”

Kearney Award

Each year, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare honors one of its volunteers with a recognition that is its Volunteer of the Year Award — the Kearney Award. It is given to the volunteer who has contributed the greatest number of hours of direct care service.

This year’s recipient of the Kearney Award is Anna Weekley. She has distinguished herself with more than 400 hours of service. Her volunteer efforts include visiting home patients, serving as a volunteer liaison at Smithville-Western Care Center, serving on the Being There and Welcome teams, and supporting the staff of Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. 

From left to right are Elisa Stoyle, volunteer coordinator, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare; Anna Weekley, volunteer and Kearney Award recipient; Wayne Giesler, volunteer recognized for 30 years of service; and Rebecca McCurdy, manager of Volunteer Services, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare.

“We’re grateful for Anna’s support of our mission,” McCurdy said. “Her faithfulness in meeting the needs of her patients demonstrates both creativity and deep compassion.”

30 Years of Service

Wayne Giesler was honored for 30 years of volunteer service. “As a volunteer chaplain and direct care volunteer, Wayne is still fully engaged in providing consistent, and deeply compassionate care to every patient he serves,” McCurdy said.

Several volunteers were recognized for celebrating milestone years of service.

15 Years of Service

  • Jackie Fry (Loess Life Legacy Project, Video Editing, and Administrative Support)
  • Robbie Griffith (Direct Care)
  • Marilyn Kamp (Direct Care) 

10 Years of Service

  • Shirley Badger (Direct Care)
  • Paula Colvin (Pet Peace of Mind)

5 Years of Service

  • Johanna Badertscher (Direct Care, Music)
  • Paul Daiber (Direct Care, IPU)
  • Tom Fry (Haircuts, Grounds)
  • Marilyn Gustafson (Direct Care)
  • Sean Masih (Direct Care)
  • Judy Reinking (Direct Care)
    Ron Reinking (Direct Care, Grounds)
  • Pam Smith (Direct Care, Music) 

More Than 100 Hours of Service

Twenty-five Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare volunteers contributed more than 100 hours of service. “It was pretty challenging to get more than 100 hours of hospice volunteering in the during this past year,” McCurdy said. “For much of that time, volunteers were not allowed to make visits in homes or nursing homes, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for 25 of our volunteers who contributed more than 100 hours of service to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare.”

The following volunteers have contributed more than 100 hours of service in the past year. 

  • Joyce Amstutz (IPU Ambassador and Being There Team)
  • Ann Bailey (IPU Ambassador)
  • Diane Clark (Direct Care)
  • Kathie Clyde (Direct Care)
  • Angie Davis (Clinical Supplies)
  • Jackie Fry 300-plus hours (Administrative Support, Volunteer Training, Video Support)
  • Marilyn Gustafson (Direct Care)
  • Richard Holcker (Direct Care)
  • Judy Holvey (Direct Care and Being There Team)
  • Jackie Lee (Direct Care)
  • Guy Lilley (Deliveries)
  • Linda Lowe (Clinical Supplies)
  • Sue Madick 300+ hours (Direct Care, Volunteer Training)
  • Jane Moore (Direct Care and Welcome Team)
  • Pat Petit (Being There Team and Welcome Team)
  • Shannon Pyers (Bereavement)
  • Carolyn Reed (Administrative Support)
  • Carol Remington (Direct Care, Being There Team, Welcome Team)
  • Sue Snavely (Direct Care and Bereavement)
  • James Snyder (IPU Ambassador)
  • Lynette Snyder (Administrative Support)
  • Cheryl Steiner (IPU Ambassador)
  • Anna Weekley 400-plus hours (Volunteer Liaison, Being There Team, Welcome Team)
  • Karen Wood  200-plus hours (IPU, Volunteer Liaison)
  • Lynn Young 200-plus hours (Direct Care, Welcome Team)

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, a not-for-profit organization established in 1982, is an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice that serves communities in northeast Ohio. It embodies the spirit of neighbors caring for neighbors with a commitment to relieve suffering, ease fears, and provide companionship along life’s last journey. Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare addresses patient and family needs wherever the patient calls home. Services also include access to the Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault Inpatient Pavilion, providing short-term patient care to manage acute symptoms, adjust medications, or stabilize patient condition.

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