Volunteer Harvey Fox pays I.T. forward

Even when you’ve been volunteering your whole adult life, you never quite know what will come next. Just ask Harvey Fox, who’s been an Angela Hospice volunteer since 2014, and has volunteered at other organizations for years as well. He went through Angela Hospice’s volunteer training thinking he would help by visiting with patients, or maybe working in maintenance or hospitality – but he ended up assisting in Information Technology.

Perhaps it’s not too surprising, considering Harv spent 28 years as a software developer, then another 16 years teaching computer classes. But he hadn’t imagined all the ways his I.T. skills would benefit Angela Hospice.

“I only work four or so hours a week in the office, but I see that my time has really helped in many concrete ways,” said Harv.

Harv has helped in multiple departments, developing user-friendly tools to help staff work more efficiently. And as much as the employees he helps are eager to express their gratitude to him, Harvey says it’s rewarding for him as well.

“It has truly been a blessing for me to tap into my IT skills and knowledge once again,” Harv said. In fact, he’s found that volunteering in general has always been rewarding for him.

“I must admit that as a dedicated volunteer, I have gained more than I have given,” Harv said. And one of those gifts changed his life forever.

“The most valuable gift I received from volunteering is meeting my wife when we were serving at Providence Hospital,” he said. The two celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary in July.

Harvey Fox helps Angela Hospice with a variety of 

I.T. 

projects. He said, "I remember being overjoyed
that 

someone actually offered me the opportunity 

to once 

again 

apply my experience and knowledge
within the 

field of information technology 

for 

the
good of the organization."

So what motivated Harv to choose Angela Hospice as the recipient of his time and talents?

“In a word…Mission! I believe that human life is the most precious thing on Earth,” Harv said. And this is something he sees reflected in the way Angela Hospice’s caring mission is enacted each day. He also appreciates the “family-like” atmosphere he sees in the organization.

“Working for Angela Hospice,” Harv said, “and being a member of such a loving ‘family,’ is not only a wonderful experience that brings me great joy, but a real energizer for my soul!”

In addition to Angela Hospice and Providence Hospital, Harv’s volunteer activities over the years have included projects for the Catholic Church, St. Vincent de Paul, and Schoolcraft College, among others.

“Volunteering has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had,” he said. “Volunteering is a way for me to give back to the community, in some small way, what others have done for me ‘in big ways’ during my lifetime. In fact, I plan on continuing to volunteer as long as I have good physical health and my mind can still function logically.”

And for all that time, Angela Hospice will be grateful for his service.