Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice recently honored its volunteers at its annual volunteer recognition banquet, thanking them for their commitment to the mission of the not-for-profit hospice. 

“We’re grateful to our volunteers for the difference they make in the lives of our patients and families each and every day,” said Tami Clark, volunteer coordinator at Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice. “Our volunteers are truly the heart of hospice care. They play a vital role as members of our care team.” 

Volunteers make an impact on patients and families. They visit patients, deliver supplies, assist with office duties, and make keepsake items for patients and families. As part of the American Pride® Veteran Care by Ohio’s Hospice program, Veteran volunteers honor the service of Veteran patients through recognition ceremonies.  

At the volunteer event, volunteers were recognized for their service. All volunteers, including three animal-assisted therapy dogs and two animal-assisted therapy cats, who had one year of service or more through 2022, received appreciation certificates with their number of years of service. Several volunteers were recognized for their service milestones with a pin.  

• 20 Years of Service: Phil Barber and Ruth Detrick were recognized for 20 years of service.
• 5 Years of Service: Judy Brammer, Linda Chernick, Lisa Clem, Mike Flora, Carla Lawhun, Terri Stewart, and Phyllis Terry were recognized for five years of service.  
• 3 Years of Service: Bill Brown, Ron Gannon, Tammy Patterson, Deana Schuler, Regina Taylor, and Linda Weymouth were recognized for three years of service.  

Volunteers in attendance at the luncheon who received a certificate of one or more years of service accounted for a total of 179 years of volunteerism at Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice.  

Barber considers his volunteer work with Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice to be a ministry. In 1999, his mother-in-law was a patient. “I was overwhelmed by the care and love expressed by the nurses and other personnel of this organization,” Barber said.  

He is a retired U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific Fleet, and he serves in the volunteer role of Veteran recognition ceremonies to honor Veteran patients. “World War II Veterans have a special place in my heart,” he said.  

Schuler volunteers with Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice because she likes to help people and do what she can for others. She is an office assistant, outreach bereavement caller, visitor, and interdisciplinary care team volunteer representative. She also helps with sympathy cards and bakes sweet treats for special occasion celebrations.  

“The best part of volunteering is how it makes me feel. I feel needed,” Schuler said. “I like that I am doing for others, just like others have done for me my whole life.”  

Detrick began volunteering with Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice after her husband, Bob, received care. She appreciated the care and support they received. “I can’t say enough good things about what hospice did for us,” she said. “I am just so grateful that hospice allowed me to keep my husband at home. I don’t know what we would have done without them.” 

She volunteers as an office assistant. “It is a total joy to come here every Thursday, and now even more,” she said. “I just retired after 37 years.”  

For more information about volunteering with Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice, call 937.390.9665 or visit www.OhiosHospice.org/Volunteer/ to fill out a volunteer application. 

Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice, a service of Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, is a not-for-profit hospice founded in 2004. The community-based organization provides superior care and superior services for patients facing life limiting-illnesses in Clark, Champaign and Logan counties.