Coastal Hospice depends on a dedicated staff of volunteers to fulfill its mission of promoting dignity and quality of life for patients and families who face life-limiting conditions.
The nonprofit organization will hold two one-hour informational sessions in September to present the volunteer opportunities available at Coastal Hospice. They will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Coastal Hospice at the Ocean offices at 10441 Racetrack Road in Berlin; and on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Coastal Hospice Volunteer Services office at PhilMore Commons on Phillip Morris Drive and U.S. 50 in Salisbury.
There are several ways volunteers help at Coastal Hospice. Volunteers visit patients and their families to offer a listening ear, read, run errands, prepare meals or hold a hand. They assist with office duties, provide community education, attend health fairs, and help with fundraising activities. Volunteers also work at the Coastal Hospice Thrift Shop in Berlin, assisting customers, creating displays, operating the cash register and sorting and pricing donations.
“Our volunteers say the experience of helping Coastal Hospice enriches their own lives,” said Judy Hunt-Harris, manager of volunteers. “Many volunteers simply want to make a difference in our community.”
Volunteers serve in one of the four Lower Shore counties Coastal Hospice serves — Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester and Somerset — and can generally set their own schedule.
Walks-ins to both sessions are welcome, or anyone interested may call Hunt-Harris for more information at 410-543-2590.
Founded in 1980, Coastal Hospice is a nonprofit health care organization that cares for individuals facing life-limiting conditions but who want to remain as active and engaged as possible. Coastal Hospice cares for patients in their home, nursing home, assisted living facility or at Coastal Hospice at the Lake.
