Friends of Hospice welcome volunteers
Posted Mar 12, 2010 By EMC News
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Volunteers are the unsung heroes of most communities. Period. More selfless acts of charity occur within our own towns every day than many of us can imagine.
People, perhaps living at home with a life threatening illness, without other available or reliable means of transportation are driven everyday to medical appointments or to the grocery store to pick up necessary supplies. They may be dropped off at a day away hospice program so they can enjoy a change of scenery and talk with others, and enjoy some good company for awhile, or simply different company outside of their homes. They may have a nourishing home-cooked meal prepared for them, or just someone to sit with them for some time.
Those loved ones who carry the weight of otherwise 24/7 care also feel the impact of our local volunteers. They may take a nap or go to lunch with friends while another caring soul from the community eases their load for just a little while. Time enough to recharge and refresh. The caregivers may also count on volunteers to help them through times of grief or bereavement.
Volunteers aren't easily spotted on our streets. They don't wear uniforms or funny hats - they look just like you and me. They are ordinary people - accomplishing extraordinary acts of caring. Volunteers recognize the blessings in their own lives, and are grateful for them. They choose to pay it forward.
Friends of Hospice Ottawa is an Ottawa West organization that trains and marshals the energies of local volunteers into a force that accomplishes all these acts of caring that make such a difference in the lives of so many.
Friends of Hospice Ottawa, recognized by the Kanata Chamber of Commerce People's Choice Award for Community Support/Non Profit in Goulbourn in 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, will begin training a new group of volunteers to enable it to continue our community's ability to deliver these acts of caring to the residents of Ottawa West.
Training begins March 24, and comprises three hours of evening training weekly, for 10 weeks. You may contact Holly Watson or Carolyn Byck at 613-838-4002 or 613-838-4008 to register, or for more information.
You can find out more about hospice at: www.friendsofhospiceottawa.ca.
COMMUNITY AWARD
Friends of Hospice Ottawa is proud and honoured to have been voted by the community we serve, Ottawa West, as the People's Choice in the Community Support/Non Profit category - Goulbourn, at the ceremonies held by the Kanata Chamber of Commerce tonight.
At the event, Beth Ada, Board Chair, accepted the award with thanks and gratitude.
"Coming on the heels of winning this award in 2007, 2008 and 2009, we are encouraged that our efforts in community support programs, including in-home support, day away hospices, transportation, caregiver and bereavement support, and training and education are not only making a difference in people's lives, but also that people are taking notice and acting on it," said Ada.
"Having recently launched our Capital Campaign to acquire a centrally located property which will permit greater access to those who need our support while living and coping with a life threatening illness, and ultimately, those who are no longer able to receive or give care in their own homes, we are excited about the increased exposure to our work that this award will attract."
The phases of the current Capital Campaign will involve purchase of the property, renovations to the building to expand and enhance core programs, plus provide space and access for additional community partners.
For information visit www.friendsofhospiceottawa.ca.
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