Ohio’s Hospice recently held their annual Volunteer Appreciation events across the state of Ohio, recognizing and thanking Volunteers for their invaluable contributions to hospice care. 

“Each year, we have the privilege to honor and thank our volunteers for their service. On behalf of Ohio’s Hospice, I would like to thank all our volunteers for their time, talents, and dedication to our mission,” said a spokesperson for Ohio’s Hospice. “This year, we’re especially honored to celebrate our Volunteers reaching the milestone of 1 million volunteer hours through service and support in Southwest Ohio. They are truly our mission in action.” 

Ohio’s Hospice – Northeast hosted its annual recognition dinner in April, with over 125 Volunteers in attendance. Community Hospice, now serving the community as Ohio’s Hospice, held multiple events throughout April in New Philadelphia, Carrollton, and Canton. Ohio’s Hospice – Central honored its Volunteers on April 25 in Newark and April 30 in Marysville. Ohio’s Hospice – Southwest celebrated its Volunteers with events on April 21 and April 25, recognizing an impressive 99 volunteers, 45 guests, and even three animal-assisted therapy dogs at one event. 

Volunteers play a crucial role in hospice care, providing services and support that go beyond medical care as part of the interdisciplinary team. They contribute to meeting the Medicare Hospice Benefit requirement of 5% patient care provided by our Volunteers. 

In 2023, Volunteers across Ohio’s Hospice locations achieved remarkable milestones: 

• They served more than 86,000 hours collectively. 
• Multiple animal-assisted therapy teams visited patients and their families. 
• More than 35 community groups volunteered with Ohio’s Hospice. 
• Hundreds of Veteran patients were honored with recognition ceremonies as part of the American Pride® Veteran Care by Ohio’s Hospice program. 
• Volunteers provided thousands of hours of direct care through patient visits, caregiver relief, and life celebrations. 
• Numerous calls were made by volunteers to bereaved family members and friends. 

Ohio’s Hospice – Northeast presented its 2024 Kearney Award, essentially the Volunteer of the Year honor, to Bonnie Alfred for her exceptional service of over 400 hours in the previous year. 

Events featured various themes, from “Kaleidoscope of Care” at Ohio’s Hospice – Northeast to the million-hour milestone celebration at Ohio’s Hospice – Southwest. Many locations also noted volunteers who had contributed over 100 hours in the past year. 

Throughout the year, Volunteer Services received notes of gratitude from patients and families about the difference our Volunteers make in their lives. Here are a few excerpts from their notes: 

• “Volunteers, thank you for your dedication to my family. You will forever be in my heart and prayers.” 
• “Thank you for coming and visiting with Mom. She loves the company, and you are so good with her.” 
• “Thank you so much for the Veteran recognition you did for our dad. The support helped take some stress off our mother.” 

Northeast Ohio Volunteers 

100+ Hours of Service in 2023: Randy Anderson, Shirley Badger, Scott Becker, Beverly Wynkoop, Lisa Birkes, Maria Bishop, Bonnie Alfred, Diane Borger, Anne Bowles, Christy Chadderton, Kathie Clyde, Beth Crone, Paul Daiber, Dan Shadburn, Angie Davis, Joanne Downs, Keith Ewald, Pam Ewald, Linda Fair, BJ Fairhurst, Mary Fitzgerald, Carol Gates, Jim Gentry, Annie Gerig, Steve Gilson, Sue Gochnauer, Kathy Gorman, Marilyn Gustafson, Mark Gustafson, Dianne Halloran, Ellen Hockenberry, Richard Holcker, Royce Hubert, Jackie Fry, Jon Tobias, Dixie Jones, Judy Holvey, Marilyn Kamp, Karen Wood, Michele Kubulis, Hans Kwee, Julie Lee, Joe Leeper, Myra Leeper, Charlene Leimeister, Mike Lilburn, Nancy Lilburn, Deb Lilley, Guy Lilley, Lynn Young, Marta Mathatas, Jacquie McMillen, Liz Miller, Evelyn Musselman, Doug Patton, Mary Pawlicki, Pat Petit, Carol Polter, Carolyn Reed, Sue Roe, Marcia Ruby, Dorothy Sample, Terry Sample, Cathy Schmid, Sharon Pooler, Jackie Smith, Sue Snavely, Jim Snyder, Lynette Snyder, Sue Madick, Barb Teach, Kathy Thompson, Mabel Wade, Dorothy Walker, Anna Weekley, Bessie Taillon, Marlin Wengerd, Karin Wiest, Judy Wild, Jeanette Ziegler 

New Direct Care Volunteers: Frank Cebul, Mary Hurst, Evan Fischer, Donna Immel, Sue Furno, Sue Oakleaf, Rhoda Gingerich, Sharon Rebmann, Dave Risser, Jennifer Miller, Roy Haynes, Bev Stern 

5 Years: Dianne Halloran, Darcy Becker, Scott Becker, Jim Gentry, Doug Patton, Karen Gallagher, Allen Hill, Paula Jones, Sue Miller, Robin Shannon, Loretta Harding 

10 Years: Sue Snavely, Kathy Thompson, Karen Granger, Barb Bernard, Wanda Croft, Bob Dumermuth, Linda Earley, Kim Ernest, Hubert Granger, Cyndy Holzbach, Richard Hoy, Sharon Miller, Pat Potter, Nancy Rufener, Mary Ellen Whipkey, Kim Fincher 

15 Years: Carol Beule, Rita West 

20 Years: Linda Hawkins, Linda Lowe 

30 Years: Cyl Krocker, Sue Hartz 

Central Ohio Volunteers 

5 Years: Debby Andrews, Beth Annarino, John Frederick, Joseph Machado, Robert Stafford Sr, Jo Streby, Peggy Streby, Lorretta Frenton, Becky Meigs, Linda Smith, Jane Walker 

10 Years: Rita Cochran, Kathy McMillen, Jim Wagner, Linda Dennis, Michelle Turner, Judy Wagner 

15 Years: Lori Brown, Gretchen Davis, Debra Shelly, Janice Farran, Becky Lawrence, Rick Rieser 

Southwest Ohio Volunteers 

5 Years: Isabella Ashbrock, Susan Balling, Mary Bane, Saundra Collie, Patty DeVer, Catherine Emmers, Richard Emrick, Kathryn Eppler, Charles Farmer, Cynthia Gibson, Danielle Gorsky, Mary Herbst, Margaret Hoge, Melanie Kavalunas, Jon Larabee, Audrey Ling, Susie McCoy, LeAnne Neel, Traci Oxley, Linda Pangborn, Ann Parsons, Deborah Rogers, Debra Rosenberg, Daniel Shroyer, Emma Shroyer, Karen Steele, Patty Tatar, David Weeks, Zandra Woody 

10 Years: Paul Burte, Mary Chenault, Cheryl Coy, Mollie Cummins, Susan Davis, Don Fodor, Linda Fogarty, Kate Glover, Frank Guerra, Ethel Heiliger, Kathleen Hendrickson, Meribeth Hoos, Sharon Hurley, Patricia Manning, Jackie Perry, Mary Jo Shia, Anna Wilson, Caitlin Wilson 

15 Years: Rita Anspach, Patricia Atkinson, Barb Blauman, Kathy Carl, Mike Dowd, Debbie Goldberg, Teresa Marsee, Mike McCall, Lucille Mooney, Becky Neufarth, Conny Poole, Debbie Sisler 

20 Years: Maan Broadstock, Mary DeNaples, Sally Frost, Maria Schuermeyer, Darlene Vanatta 

25 Years: Jody Akers, Mary Ellen Place, Patricia Stricker 

30 Years: Pat Wourms 

For more information about volunteer opportunities at Ohio’s Hospice throughout Ohio, please visit www.OhiosHospice.org/Volunteer/ to learn more and complete a volunteer application.