4/4/2018 April is Volunteer Recognition Month, and Home Nursing Agency gratefully acknowledges the dedicated volunteers for who fill essential roles in Family Hospice, the Healing Patch children's grief program, and the Adult Center for Exceptional Learning (ACEL)

Family Hospice

Family Hospice volunteers embrace the opportunity and privilege to support patients and their families through a significant and inevitable season of life. Hospice volunteers make an impact in various ways, such as visiting with patients, providing relief for caregivers, assisting with clerical tasks as needed, making weekly phone calls, supporting grieving family members and more. 

“Hospice volunteers are an integral part of the hospice team,” explains Catherine Zimmerman-Moyer, Volunteer Coordinator for Bedford, Blair, Centre, Huntingdon, and Mifflin/Juniata counties. “They companion someone during an end-of-life journey while allowing a family member to take a break. This is a small deed but a powerful gesture. Volunteers are silent angels, giving of their time, skills and compassionate hearts. Their simple acts of kindness are always seen and felt by patients and families they serve.” 

Volunteer involvement is determined by the individual’s skills, desires and schedule. Volunteers are good listeners who display flexibility, understanding and empathy. The time commitment for a volunteer can vary from several times per month to weekly. There are differing volunteer opportunities to match the strength and availability of volunteers. Specialized training is provided for new volunteers. 

“Hospice volunteers provide a variety of supportive acts to assist patients, caregivers, bereaved or office staff,” explains Melody Ray, Grief Specialist/Volunteer Coordinator for Cambria County. “Volunteer roles are catered to their unique skills and preferences. All it takes is a kind and compassionate heart to make a tremendous difference for others.”

Click here for more information about becoming a Family Hospice volunteer.

Bedford County Volunteer Team
Lynn Ashe of Breezewood, Terry Doran of Central City, Ted Hildebrand of Bedford, Lori Ickes of East Freedom, Rose McGhee of Dudley, Vicki Oster of Bedford, and Roger Replogle of New Enterprise

Blair County Volunteer Team
Barbara DeJesus of Tyrone, Terry Doran of Central City, Michelle Edwards (formerly of Altoona), Paula Ellstrom of Altoona, Betty Friedenberger of Altoona, Phyllis Grannas of Williamsburg, Andrea Hildebrand of Hollidaysburg, Lori Ickes of East Freedom, Vicki Johns of Hollidaysburg, Michele Lloyd of Duncansville, Becky Mathers of Altoona, Sherry Merritts of Altoona, Faith Norris of Altoona, Liz Richards of Altoona, Roger Replogle of New Enterprise, Marlene Sheets of Altoona, John Soldo of Flinton, Sharon Troy of Portage, and Tom Woodrow of Martinsburg

Cambria County Volunteer Team
Nicole Carpinello of Northern Cambria, Martha Criste of Ebensburg, Kimberly Colberg of Carrolltown, Terry Doran of Central City, Bob Geary of Clymer, Mary Estep of Cresson, Joan Gregg of Cresson, Luther Lewis of Ebensburg, Patty Lloyd of Cherry Tree, Vicki Patrick of Patton, John Soldo of Flinton, Sharon Troy of Portage, Carole Trusty of Ebensburg, and Michelle Wysong of Gallitzin

Centre County Volunteer Team
Sharon Gaddes of Boalsburg, Dolly Knepp of Bellefonte, KC Sheeler of State College, Linda Wolmerdorf of Bellefonte, and Qian Zhang of Bellefonte

Huntingdon County Volunteer Team
Betsy Baker of Huntingdon, Brigette Carbaugh of James Creek, Bob Colton of Huntingdon, Pam DiSalvo of Huntingdon, Jim Foster of Alexandria, Barbara Grove of Huntingdon, TyJuan Hartman of Huntingdon, Betty Hordubay of Huntingdon, Lydia Lane of Cassville, Ray Lawler of Alexandria, Debbie Lillibridge of Alexandria, Sandie Mitchell of Hesston, Ruth Reinhart of Alexandria, Pat Ross of Mount Union, Mary Ann Smith of Huntingdon, Ann Swisher of Hesston, and Tom Woodrow of Martinsburg

Mifflin/Juniata Counties Volunteer Team
Carolyn Butterworth of Lewistown, Verna Clemmer of McClure, Carolyn Leacy of Lewistown, and Pam Sechrist of McVeytown

 

Healing Patch

Volunteers are the heart of the Healing Patch: A Program for Loss and Hope for Grieving Children and Their Families. Without them, these free services could not exist for the grieving children and families of our community. It takes a special type of person to absorb the tragic stories children share at the Healing Patch. While volunteers must understand they are unable to “fix” what has happened, volunteers are able to help bring hope and healing back into the life of a child.

Healing Patch volunteers are needed to facilitate groups, greet families, serve food, complete sewing projects, and serve in special supportive roles.

Click here for more information about becoming a Healing Patch volunteer.

Blair Healing Patch Volunteers
Michelle Beard, Jody Christen, Barbara DeJesus, Katie Fiore, Betty Friedenberger, James Gerraughty, Sherry Hayford, Andrea Hildebrand, Nancy Imes, Gina Itle, Trez Knob, Sue LeCrone, Cynthia Lytle, Denise Mason, Chris McConnell, Mickey Port, Alex Seltzer, Jessica White, and Bonnie Zimmermann

Cambria Healing Patch Volunteers
Tammy Brletrick, Maria Brown, Beth Burkhart, Heidi Cobaugh, Martha Criste, Gabrielle Cronin, Sue Glass, Laura Halligan, Monica Klatt, Jeannette Price, Regis Schall, Sharon Troy, Cathy Tunstall, Carrie Waksmunski, and Michelle Wysong

Sewing Volunteers
Kim Adelman, Rose Battista, Sara Clossin, Clara Davis, Jane Decker, Connie Dick, Patty Doty, Peg Frantz, Susan Gray, Lynn Holmes, Sandy Kustaborder, Patti Isenberg, Susan Maurer, Christine McConnell, Barbara Miltenberger, Mary Kay O'Connor, Patty Price, Sally Ripka, Helene Rumberger, Pauline Schill, Brenda Servello, Theresa Shoemaker, Janet Smith, Martha Smith, Janice Snowberger, Alane Timmerman, Carlene Walker, Shirley Wallace, Betzi White, Betty Zaliznock, and Beatrice Zurilla

 

Adult Center for Exceptional Learning (ACEL)

ACEL Program (Adult Center for Exceptional Learning) provides a safe environment during the day for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. Volunteers fill in with housekeeping tasks at the center and serve as companions for adults who attend.

ACEL Volunteers
Barbara Boese, Erdene Dibert, JoAnne Fletcher, Karen Hicks, Janet Krusell, Charlotte Leaper, Leah Leiden, Helen Nagle, Peggy Plowman, Celena Turiano, and Maggie Weyandt 

Pictured from left are Maggie Weyandt, Barbara Boese, Leah Leiden, and Erdene Dibert.

For more information about volunteering at ACEL, contact Lorrie Hetager, Center Director, at 814-944-8179.