Celebrating Hospice volunteers

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To the Editor:

April is National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize and celebrate those who volunteer in communities across the country. Although volunteers should be appreciated all year-round, I believe that this is a good time to make a point of it. Today, I write on behalf of the many volunteers who so generously give their time to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.

Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard is truly a gift from the community to the community. We delight in the commitment and time more than 80 volunteers give of themselves to our very important work. With the help of our patient care volunteers, our fundraising volunteers and our board members, who volunteer their expertise and time, we are able to celebrate our 30th year of making a difference in the community and offering unique care to those facing a serious illness or grieving the loss of a loved one. Because of our volunteers’ hard work, we remain able to offer our services completely for free, and from the day of diagnosis, without the restrictions of insurance reimbursements.

Our volunteers work with the passion of a young child discovering the magic of the ant hill. Everyone is busy, working, making our organization vibrant and alive with the promise of our mission and excellent service to the community at the forefront. What our families receive from Hospice is a caring, compassionate individual coming to their door and asking, “How can I help?”

Fundraising volunteers, I so appreciate your monumental efforts and creativity in making our many events fun and successful, Thank you. Patient-care volunteers, you know you are our lifeline to many patients and their families, and you all make such an amazing difference.

Thank you for all your excellent work with our families. You are truly wonderful! Board Members, thank you for your dedication and strength while walking the road of managing our promise to the community. I admire and appreciate each and every one of you, past and present. Of course, this letter must include another set of amazing people who do not volunteer for HMV but work directly with all our volunteers — our staff. Thank you for your amazing gifts and for the excellent team you are for our patients and their families. You make my work so meaningful.

The variety of ways we support our patients and their families, as well as the patients of Island Hospice, would make you all a very proud community. Please give anyone you know who volunteers for HMV, or any organization, hearty thanks next time you see them.

And accept my personal gratitude.

Terre D. Young

Executive Director

Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard

West Tisbury