Mary Ellen Place is very genuine and to the point when she describes her feelings about being a volunteer with Ohio’s Hospice. “I love what I do,” she says emphatically. 

From teacher to Ohio’s Hospice volunteer, Place has enjoyed each year from the beginning when she put a substitute teaching position on hold to pursue what she really wanted to do. 

“I was substitute teaching in the Fairborn area. Then I started volunteering at Ohio’s Hospice and enjoyed it so much, that I told the school not to schedule me on Friday because that is when I would be volunteering at Ohio’s Hospice,” Place explained. 

She recalls her early days of volunteering when she was passing the snack cart around. 

“I would pick it up in the kitchen and I remember it had the Dixie cups filled with ice cream and small packs of Oreo cookies. They had candies and chips just anything for people to snack on,” she said. “It was for the patients and their families.” 

Having the privilege of serving patients and their families has always generated a sense of pride for Place and she has loved every minute of it. 

“I always love when the families and guests tell you how much they appreciate all you are doing for their loved ones,” she said. 

After being moved to the welcome desk at the Dayton campus, Place was able to help serve more patients and their families. 

“They asked me to work the desk. I help make sure that families and guests know where their loved one is,” she said. Place says that it has been “extremely wonderful” to be a volunteer at Ohio’s Hospice and she has been challenged to help in any way she can. 

She recalls the time she was asked to sit with a patient whose family was delayed in their visit, but did not want their loved one to be alone. 

“I sat there quite a while talking and visiting,” she said. “That is the kind of care you get at Ohio’s Hospice. I am not sure that many people are aware of all we do.” 

She wants everyone who is considering becoming a volunteer to follow through and join the team. 

“There are so many ways to help patients and their families. Pick up a brochure and look at the opportunities inside and outside of the building,” she said. “I’ll say it again, I love what I do.”