Volunteer Opportunities with Hospice of the Rapidan

 

VOLUNTEERS are an essential part of high quality hospice care.  Each volunteer contributes directly to a better quality of life for patients, caregivers and families. 

VOLUNTEERS are ordinary people making an extraordinary difference when it counts the most.

VOLUNTEERS contribute their unique skills, experiences, talents and compassion to provide comfort, dignity and peace.

 

“America has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service. Now more than ever, volunteers are renewing their commitment to helping others and making new connections that bring us closer together as families, as neighbors, as communities, and as a nation.”   President George W. Bush, 2002 State of the Union Address

Info for Prospective Volunteers

Teen Volunteer Program

Info for Current Volunteers

Directions to Lunch 'n Learn Locations

Downloadable Volunteer Application

Current Issue of Volunteer Newsletter



What is volunteering with Hospice of the Rapidan all about?

The most frequent comments we hear from our volunteers are that they find the experience more rewarding than they expected and that they feel they get more from it than they give.  Few activities offer these benefits while doing so much good for others.

At Hospice of the Rapidan, volunteers play a vital role in caring for our patients, supporting their loved ones, assisting our staff in the office, and in the success of our events.

 

·         Patient/Family Support –  By sitting with a patient, reading a book, playing cards, singing a song or holding a hand, volunteers connect patients to the world outside their home and provide companionship that can make all the difference.  By running errands, picking up prescriptions, or sitting with a patient, volunteers give caregivers and families much needed relief from the stress of full time care of a dying loved one.

 

·         Office Support – By assisting with clerical work, answering phones, mailings, data entry and other essential administrative tasks, volunteers help our staff better serve patients, families and our community.

 

·         Events – Volunteers are essential members of the team that plans and executes Hospice of the Rapidan’s community events, presentations, fund raisers and other activities.

 

·         Special Skills – Hospice of the Rapidan’s patients benefit greatly from the efforts of volunteers with special skills, such as hairdressers, musicians, massage, and those with certified therapy dogs.  The difference these volunteers make is extraordinary!

 

“Hospice made such impression on me that after my Dad's passing I became a hospice volunteer.  I have now been volunteering actively for almost 2 years, and find it more rewarding than I ever expected.”

Who can volunteer?

We have volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and interests – from students to retirees to mothers of school age children to loved ones of patients who received hospice care.  What they all share is a desire to make a difference or give back to their community.  No special skills or prior experience is needed.  We provide comprehensive training.  Good volunteers are sensitive, caring, friendly, good listeners, who are non-judgmental and patient.

How do I learn what do do?

Patient/family support volunteers receive 21 hours of free training about Hospice of the Rapidan's philosphy, mission, programs, services and procedures.  The training typically consists of 7 weekly sessions in small classes.  Office support and teen volunteers receive two hours of training and can move on to become patient/family support volunteers if they decide to.

 

Teen Volunteer Program

Hospice of the Rapidan believes in encouraging young people to develop a commitment to their community and an appreciation of giving something back that can stay with them throughout their adult lives.  If teens experience this for themselves amid the competing demands of a busy high school life, they will come to look at volunteering as a privilege rather than an obligation, which benefits everyone.

 

Hospice of the Rapidan has volunteer opportunities for high school students in all five counties we serve.  Teens can work directly with patients and families.  Activities include brightening a patient’s day with a visit, playing cards or reading a book with a patient, and sharing computer knowledge to help patients and families stay in touch.  In Culpeper we also have opportunities for teens to help in our office or with events like our Butterfly Release and Tree of Lights Celebrations.  No special skills or prior experience is needed.  We provide training and appropriate supervision.  All that is required is sensitivity, caring, friendliness, and a desire to make a difference.

 

How do I apply to become a volunteer or get more information?

Our Volunteer Application can be downloaded right now by clicking here.  Adults, teens, civic organizations, church groups, school officials and others can learn more about our volunteer program by contacting our Volunteer Coordinator, Ruth Pavlik, at 540-825-4840 or rpavlik@hotr.org.  We are pleased to put adults and teens in contact with current or past volunteers so they can hear firsthand about their experiences with us and our patients.  You can also view a copy of the current issue of our volunteer newsletter by clicking here.