Name: Jeannie Maciejewski How long have you been a volunteer? Two-and-a-half years. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? Patient care in the Care Center and the ice cream socials. What made you decide to become a volunteer? When my grandfather was ill quite a few years ago we were kind of in dire straits. He had just come in from Texas and it was home care. Angela Hospice was just so kind and so helpful and so wonderful in every aspect that I thought, that’s a nice place. Then a few years later I had the opportunity and I was like, I’m going to volunteer over there. Angela Hospice just kind of stuck in my mind. What is your favorite part about volunteering? Helping out with the patients, the CNAs, and the nurses. Just working with the patients, doing whatever I can. What is one of your favorite stories or memories from volunteering? There’s quite a few of them. Just the hugs you get from the patients’ families an...

You can raise money for Angela Hospice while you shop. Did you know there are multiple ways to help Angela Hospice while you shop? Check out how below. Kroger   If you are a Kroger Plus Card member you can help Angela Hospice earn rewards when you shop, as part of the Kroger Community Rewards Program. The program provides financial support to non-profits based on the money spent at Kroger stores by members enrolled in the program. Before you can help raise funds for Angela Hospice there are a few simple steps: Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account at krogercommunityrewards.com Once signed up, click on your account in the upper right hand corner. Then scroll to the bottom of the page, where you can edit your Community Rewards information. Enter our NPO number: KQ870 or find Angela Hospice on the list provided. To verify you’re enrolled correctly you will see Angela Hospice’s name in your account under Community Rewards. Amazon Smile If online shopping ...

Judith (second from right) has attended every walk since 2010. Have you ever had a moment where you knew that you were exactly where you were supposed to be? That’s how Judith Halpert felt when she arrived at the Angela Hospice Walk of Remembrance in 2010. “The minute I showed up to the first one I said, ‘This is the place I need to be,’” Judith said. “And I need to be there every year now because it’s sort of like a tradition for me.” That tradition began thanks to a friend, whose father had been under Angela Hospice care in 2009, suggesting Judith and her husband come to the walk. While many Walk of Remembrance participants, like Judith’s friend, have had a loved one receive Angela Hospice care, Judith hasn’t. That isn’t to say she hasn’t dealt with loss though. Over a 13-month period Judith lost her mother, her father, and her mother-in-law. “I think of my parents every day but on that day in particular,” she said. “Good things happen that give you peace of mind, pe...

Name: Kathleen McLeod How long have you been a volunteer? 15 years. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? Patient care in the Care Center, mailings, and events. What made you decide to become a volunteer? Forty-seven years ago my mother had cancer and she passed away. Back then they didn’t talk about it, they didn’t talk about cancer. It was a bad word. We knew when she was dying that she knew she was dying but we never talked about it. When we went to the hospital we just went during visiting hours and that was it. I always felt really bad when she died that we didn’t get to share more with her. When I heard about Angela [Hospice] I thought, that sounds like a good place. So kind of in remembrance of my mother I started volunteering. Why Angela Hospice? I had heard from other people…good things about it. I had come for training and I liked it. Kathleen has volunteered in Wing A since the Care Center opened in 2...

Name: Ellen Lukas How long have you been a volunteer? Two years. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? Haircuts for home care patients, Tree of Life, and mailings. What made you decide to become a volunteer? Both my parents were patients at Angela Hospice, my dad in 2004 and my mom in 2008. It was just a really good experience with both of them. I met [Spiritual Care Manager] Kathy Ostroskie, who was the volunteer coordinator at the time, and she said Angela Hospice was looking for somebody to give haircuts; that they could always use help. It was just the perfect timing, so that’s what I did. Ellen at last spring's Laughter Lifts You Up event. What is your favorite part about volunteering? Probably meeting the patients and their families, and getting to know both of them. What is one of your favorite stories or memories from volunteering? It’s really kind of similar to the question before. It’s getting to meet ...

By: Kate McNamara, Angela Hospice Volunteer As he sat down to talk about his experience volunteering at Angela Hospice, Kevin Murphy said his life is boring. That statement is something the Irish refer to as blarney. As you will see, Kevin's life is anything but boring. Kevin has been a spiritual care volunteer at the Care Center for four years. He assists at the Saturday afternoon masses and visits patients at the Care Center on Sunday mornings. He is a Eucharistic Minister, and also engages in a ministry of presence, which involves prayer, conversation, and sometimes silence. “There are ebbs and flows with conversation,” he said. “It’s whatever they feel like talking about, from the books they’re reading to sports. I love to hear the stories.” He also enjoys getting to know patient’s families and said oftentimes he prays with the family members too. Kevin also feeds patients and helps with direct care under the supervision of medical staff. He finds it all part...