HERITAGE HOSPICE

News release

Volunteers are the backbone of Heritage Hospice. They donate their time and talents to socialize, read, sing or even watch movies with patients who enjoy the extra support volunteers can offer. Volunteers  provide much needed respite to family members who care for loved ones 24/7. They are able to spend  quality time with a patient on a weekly basis, often seeing one to two patients at a time to give the family a much needed break or additional support to the patient. 

Ann McQuerry became a Heritage Hospice volunteer 21 years ago. Her compassionate spirit and desire to help others has made a difference in the lives of many. Ann has always had a passion for Heritage Hospice and has spent time with numerous patients over the years.

In addition to patient care, Ann has also helped with several other capacities at Heritage Hospice such as fundraising and card making. She has been a huge help with several fundraisers including the Plant Sale and the Annual Tea & Treasure event. Recently, Ann has started making hand-made greeting cards with other Heritage Hospice volunteers for all the monthly holidays and other special occasions. The cards are made to give to patients by volunteers or staff. The wish is to brighten a patient’s day and to let them know, the card is “Made with Love by Heritage Hospice Volunteers”.

Ann is a huge supporter of Heritage Hospice and tells people about the program every chance she gets. A donation of $2,500 was recently given to Heritage Hospice in honor of Ann from her sister, Pat Nathan and brother-in-law, Mervyn Groves.

Tracey Jones found out about the volunteer program at Heritage Hospice through her work and registered for the training class last year. Tracey desired to become a volunteer because hospice was “very good to her husband’s mother when she had cancer” and wanted to give back.

After Tracey completed the training she donated a few hours in the office every week. In addition to donating her time, her employer United Health Group made a financial contribution of $500.00 to the organization of Tracey’s choice, through their Benevity Community Impact Fund.  Tracey also has an automatic payroll deduction to Heritage Hospice in memory of her mother-in-law, Sarah Parks Jones. 

The volunteer department is appreciative for these two individuals for the time and hours they have devoted to a making a difference in the lives of others.

 “I feel that it is important to enrich our lives as we strive to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. I find that this is true with Ann and Tracey”, Wendy Hellard, Director of Volunteer Services at Heritage Hospice.

If you would like to join Ann and Tracey along with other hospice volunteers, Heritage Hospice will be hosting a volunteer training Saturday, March 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Hospice office, located at 120 Enterprise Drive in Danville. Please call Wendy Hellard or Maureen Draut for more information at (859) 236-2425.