LAKEPORT — Hospice Services of Lake County will offer free-of-charge volunteer training to people interested in giving back to the community by helping those in need.
An orientation will take place April 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by two training sessions on April 26 and May 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Materials and luncheon will be provided during the trainings.
The training program will prepare new volunteers with knowledge for visiting patients in hospice care and offering bereavement support to loved ones.
Hospice volunteers ensure that the people they care for and their families find hope within each day, have their dignity preserved, and are surrounded by love even at the final moments of life, according to Hospice Services Marketing Coordinator Christine Hutt. The goal of hospice is to help patients and families live as fully as possible despite a life-limiting illness.
“Strangers allow me to come in at such a precious, personal moment and share that time with them,” volunteer Marilyn Cleveland Shupe said. “It is so rewarding.”
Often hospice volunteers choose to give their time helping others because of their own experiences with the compassionate care hospice provided to their dying loved one, Hutt stated. Volunteer Pat King was impressed that hospice not only took care of her husband while he was dying, but also supported her throughout the process. King said she wanted to volunteer to relieve the caregivers because their service had meant so much to her.
In addition to offering direct service to patients and families, hospice volunteers support the Wings of Hope family bereavement camps, work in the thrift stores, contribute administrative support in the office and help with fundraising events.
For information or to register for the training, contact Hedy Montoya at 263-6270 ext. 136 or hmontoya@lakecountyhospice.org.
