Pamela G. Miller – 3HC Volunteer

I would like to take a few minutes to tell you what volunteering has done for me and how much it has changed my life over the past few years.

I started volunteering for Hospice in the summer of 2008. I had never volunteered for any organization before this. I wanted to volunteer for several reasons.

First of all, in 2003, I went through a terrible divorce and was an emotional mess for several years. After being married for 19 years, I suddenly found myself alone at the age of 42. I work full-time but have nothing to do in the evenings, and since my children are grown and don’t live with me, I started thinking about volunteering for Hospice.

Secondly, my grandmother passed away in 1988, and Hospice was so good to her and really helped her a lot and left a lasting impression on me. Ever since that time, I knew I wanted to be a Hospice volunteer, whenever the opportunity presented itself to me. Well, after my divorce came my opportunity.

I contacted Hospice through an online website and got started with my training shortly after that. After just two years of volunteering, I cannot tell you how much it has done for me. I feel like my life means something now and am so fulfilled, mentally and emotionally. I feel so good and so much better about myself when I am helping someone else. Even if it’s something small like being available to talk when they feel like talking, or just listening to them. I’ve even played card games and scrabble with one of my Hospice patients, because no one else in her family seemed to have the time to spend with her. Sometimes we would watch TV, or just sit outside on the swing, but she seemed to get so much out of me just being there and spending some time with her. That’s what volunteering is, just giving a little bit of your time to someone else who really needs it. I am the happiest that I have ever been and I will volunteer until I am physically unable to do it. I would recommend volunteering to anyone.

Dr. Donald R. Nobers – 3HC Volunteer since 1999

Over the past 12 years, I have served many male hospice patients in their homes. While I have given my time and hopefully my talent, I have also received much in return. Each and every patient had a unique life story, and the primary caregivers impressed me with their love and devotion to husband or father.

I had the honor and privilege to work with many WWII Veterans who came home from the wars death and destruction and put it all behind them. They went to work, raised a family and continued to honor God and country. Most never shared their war experiences with their children, but did so with me. After they died, I was able to tell their children just how much of a war hero their father was. There were other veterans who came home after exposure to nuclear radiation in Japan with resulting tumors and cancers. They established their businesses and were productive members of their community. It has been a great reward for me to have known and served them.

I have found joy and satisfaction in serving hospice families. 3HC has been and continues to be a blessing in caring for the dying. I thank the organization for the work they do, and for allowing me to serve.

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Sharing of your time and talent with others is the very best way to thank God for the many blessings and benefits bestowed on you. Some call it “Giving Back”. Others may call it, “recognition of the needs of others and helping meet those needs”.

In the case of hospice patients, there are needs at many levels. When someone is ill, home bound, perhaps bedridden, they welcome some companionship, a person to talk to and share with. Several hours per week spent with a hospice patient can mean a great deal to them. Also, primary caregivers who take care of their loved one 24 hours a day, seven days a week deserve a break to shop, get their hair done, go to church or meet medical, dental or many other personal needs. Caring for the caregiver, to help sustain them during this time of caring for a dying loved one, is immeasurable. Being a good supportive listener is much of what it takes to show positive recognition, regard and admiration for the caregiver during stressful times.

We all know what it costs financially to get or receive help of any kind. Many services are increasingly beyond reach with cuts in funding at the federal, state and local levels. When funds are tight, then TIME and Talent become ever more important. Yes, money can buy many things, but sharing oneself is the gift that keeps on giving.

Without a doubt we are the most generous people and country in the world. If you share your time and talent, you will find the joy of giving of yourself the greatest blessing unequalled by all the other riches of this life. Try it and be amazingly blessed for loving your fellow man. God Bless you and please contact 3HC to be trained as a volunteer.