Students sought to help at hospice

Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care is seeking volunteers to provide comfort, companionship and a helping hand to terminally ill patients and their families in their homes and in assisted living and nursing facilities.

Crossroads welcomes student volunteers who are 16 or older, according to a news release. By donating as little as 45 minutes per week, students can help fulfill community service hour requirements while honing their social abilities, boosting self-confidence and developing new skills.

Volunteers also are welcome to help Crossroads staff in the office, including planning a “Gift of a Day,” which asks a patient to describe a perfect day and then makes it a reality; and writing life journals that chronicle the history, events and blessings of a person’s life.

Volunteers share patients' activities such as reading, card games, playing music and arts and crafts. They also can run errands and provide respite for family members.

“We call our volunteers ‘Ultimate Givers’ because they selflessly give extra love and comfort to terminally-ill patients and their families,” volunteer manager Sarah Cooley said.

“Just being a friendly voice or giving caregivers a muchneeded break makes a world of difference. Best of all, our volunteers often gain as much as they give — new relationships, new skills, self-esteem and great satisfaction.”

For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Cooley at 632-9631 or Sarah. Cooley@crossroadshospice.com.

Before becoming a Crossroads Hospice “Ultimate Giver,” participants must complete an application, TB skin test and training session. Potential volunteers must wait a minimum of one year after the death of an immediate family member or loved one before applying.