Hospice of Kona - Volunteers

Adriana DeGress,
Director of Volunteer Services
ADegress@HospiceOfKona.org

Our Volunteers are angels.

I am a recipient of unconditional love.
I am a volunteer.
"Shanterra McBride"

Each volunteer is but a thread...in this global patchwork quilt and as we intertwine our gifts... something powerful is being built.

I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy, I woke and I saw that life is all service, I served and I saw that service is joy.
"Mother Theresa"

Volunteer Introduction

The heart of Hospice Kona care is the community of special volunteering individuals that choose to give gifts from the finest part of themselves. We are grateful to volunteers as dedicated people freely contributing time and energy. We appreciate them for their willingness to serve and welcome them to the Hospice of Kona Team.

Hospice volunteers provide a wide range of assistance to Hospice of Kona. Click here to view a Volunteer's Description. The Hospice staff assists volunteers in identifying skills that will match Hospice needs. The volunteer with their particular talent is a valued addition to the team that the staff and the families welcome.

Volunteer’s unique talents and skills are acknowledged and nurtured as Hospice of Kona grows together to meet the needs of our community. We believe that the gifts volunteer receive from participation with Hospice of Kona will be equal to, or perhaps even exceed, the gifts the volunteer gives.

Volunteers:
Volunteers are available upon request. We encourage patients and their families to take advantage of this opportunity. Family members need time to get away from the stress of caring for loved ones. Volunteers may be of service by:

Providing family members rest by being scheduled to sit with your loved one so that a much needed break can be taken.

Reading to patients, providing conversation, or standing by if they are needed.

Preparing a small meal, offering water or holding a hand.

Other examples include massage/reiki, haircutting, playing soothing music on your ukulele or harp, running errands, providing transportation when appropriate, translating Japanese or Spanish among others, professional services such as a Notary and handy man or woman services.

Volunteer Job Description:
Hospice of Kona volunteers need to be comfortable with their own attitudes about death, knowing that it is a natural part of life. They need to understand that involvement with Hospice of Kona is rewarding, through sometimes painful, requiring maturity and objectivity blended with compassion and understanding. They need to display character attributes of sensitivity, empathy and personal warmth.

The Volunteer Staff will be under the direct supervision of the Hospice Director of Volunteer Services. Hospice of Kona will also provide orientation and training that is consistent with the accepted standards of practice.

Print out or save our Volunteer Training Flyer

Print out or save our Volunteer Application

Volunteer Range of Services:

In the home with the patient and family volunteers support professional team members in accomplishing the many-faceted care of the patient and family.

Bereavement support in concert with the Social Services team is offered via visits and calls.

Office support and services that are necessary to the day-to-day operation are primarily provided by volunteer staff.

Fundraising is a vital volunteer role offering help in such ways as setting up, decorating, collecting silent auction items, soliciting sponsorships, being a chef or driving a truck for an event.

Public Relations is another vital role participating as a community advocate or speaker, providing educational opportunities, and being in parades.