4/3/2019 April is Volunteer Recognition Month, and we gratefully celebrate the dedicated volunteers who service in Family Hospice and the Healing Patch children's grief program

Family Hospice

Family Hospice volunteers embrace the opportunity and privilege to support patients and their families through a significant and inevitable season of life. Hospice volunteers make an impact in various ways, such as visiting with patients, providing relief for caregivers, assisting with clerical tasks as needed, making phone calls, supporting grieving family members, and more.

“Our Family Hospice volunteers are truly the heart of hospice – the ‘Silent Angels’,” shares Catherine Zimmerman-Moyer, Family Hospice Volunteer Coordinator in Bedford, Blair, and Cambria counties. “Our volunteers give generously of their time as they listen with open hearts, building lasting relationships with families they meet in hospice and bereavement services. They are the face of compassion and make a difference by choosing to live with purpose!”

Volunteer involvement is determined by the individual’s skills, desires, and schedule. Volunteers are good listeners who display flexibility, understanding, and empathy. The time commitment for a volunteer can vary from several times per month to weekly. There are differing volunteer opportunities to match the strength and availability of volunteers. Specialized training is provided for new volunteers.

“Our wonderful volunteers are really the heart of Family Hospice,” shares Carole Palmer, Family Hospice Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator in Centre, Huntingdon, and Mifflin counties. “They are the day-to-day hands and feet that make it possible for Family Hospice to minister love and compassion to our patients and their families. It is an honor to work with our volunteers who give so much of themselves to comfort others!”

Click here for more information about becoming a Family Hospice volunteer.

Bedford County Volunteer Team
Lynn Ashe of Breezewood, Terry Doran of Central City, Rose McGhee of Dudley, Vicki Oster of Bedford, and Roger Replogle of New Enterprise

Blair County Volunteer Team
Barbara DeJesus of Tyrone, Paula Ellstrom of Altoona, Ann Foust of Altoona, Betty Friedenberger of Altoona, Phyllis Grannas of Williamsburg, Andrea Hildebrand of Hollidaysburg, Joe Hollen of Fallentimber, Vicki Johns of Hollidaysburg, Michele Lloyd of Duncansville, Sharon Long of Martinsburg, Susan Magee of Altoona, Becky Mathers of Altoona, Sherry Merritts of Altoona, Faith Norris of Altoona, Sylvester Quinn of Altoona, Roger Replogle of New Enterprise, John Soldo of Flinton, Sharon Troy of Portage, and Tom Woodrow of Martinsburg

Cambria County Volunteer Team
Nicole Carpinello of Northern Cambria, Martha Criste of Ebensburg, Kimberly Colberg of Carrolltown, Terry Doran of Central City, Bob Geary of Clymer, Mary Estep of Cresson, Joan Gregg of Cresson, Joe Hollen of Fallentimber, Patty Lloyd of Cherry Tree, Vicki Patrick of Patton, John Soldo of Flinton, Sharon Troy of Portage, Carole Trusty of Ebensburg, and Michelle Wysong of Gallitzin

Centre County Volunteer Team
Sharon Gaddes of Boalsburg, Dolly Knepp of Bellefonte, Vicky Schirm of State College, KC Sheeler of State College, Linda Wolmerdorf of Bellefonte, and Qian Zhang of Bellefonte

Huntingdon County Volunteer Team
Betsy Baker of Huntingdon, Bob Colton of Huntingdon, Jim Foster of Alexandria, Barbara Grove of Huntingdon, TyJuan Hartman of Huntingdon, Betty Hordubay of Huntingdon, Lydia Lane of Cassville, Ray Lawler of Alexandria, Debbie Lillibridge of Alexandria, Sandie Mitchell of Hesston, Ruth Reinhart of Alexandria, Pat Ross of Mount Union, and Mary Ann Smith of Huntingdon

Mifflin/Juniata Counties Volunteer Team
Carolyn Butterworth of Lewistown and Carolyn Leacy of Lewistown

 

Healing Patch

Volunteers are the heart of the Healing Patch: A Program for Loss and Hope for Grieving Children and Their Families. Without them, these free services could not exist for the grieving children and families of our community. It takes a special type of person to absorb the tragic stories children share at the Healing Patch. While volunteers must understand they are unable to “fix” what has happened, volunteers are able to help bring hope and healing back into the life of a child.

Healing Patch volunteers are needed to facilitate groups, greet families, serve food, complete sewing projects, and serve in special supportive roles.

Click here for more information about becoming a Healing Patch volunteer.

Blair Healing Patch Volunteers
Michelle Beard, Jesse Blank, Jody Christen, Tess Crawford, Jennifer Dean, Barbara DeJesus, Maureen Dodson, KatieFiore, Betty Friedenberger, James Gerraughty, Sherry Hayford, Andrea Hildebrand, Nancy Imes, Gina Itle, Trez Knob, Sue LeCrone, Cynthia Lytle, Denise Mason, Chris McConnell, Mickey Port, Alex Seltzer, Jessica White, and Bonnie Zimmerman

Cambria Healing Patch Volunteers
Tammy Brletrick, Maria Brown, Beth Burkhart, Martha Criste, Gabrielle Cronin, Sue Glass, Laura Halligan, Greg Karcher, Monica Klatt, Sherri Mannion, Jeannette Price, Regis Schall, Sharon Troy, Cathy Tunstall, Carrie Waksmunski, and Michelle Wysong

Sewing Volunteers
Kim Adelman, Rose Battista, Martine Beck, Patricia Cheeseman, Sara Clossin, Clara Davis, Jane Decker, Connie Dick, Patty Doty, Donna Downing, Betty Ann Farabaugh, Peg Frantz, Susan Gray, Lynn Holmes, Sandy Kustaborder, Patti Isenberg, Kim Massar, Susan Maurer, Christine McConnell, Barbara Miltenberger, Mary Kay O'Connor, Patty Price, Sally Ripka, Helene Rumberger, Brenda Servello, Theresa Shoemaker, Janet Smith, Martha Smith, Janice Snowberger, Alane Timmerman, Shirley Wallace, Yvonne Wilson, Betty Zaliznock, and Beatrice Zurilla