Evergreen Hospice Volunteers

05/20/2025

04/18/2025

HAPPY VOLUNTEER WEEK!

It is a well-known fact that EvergreenHealth Hospice Volunteers are a top-notch crew. They are our neigbours, our backbone and continuity, and deeply valued members of the Hospice team.

Every volunteer who gives of their time is supporting our entire community -- patients, caregivers, staff at any number of adult family homes, skilled nursing facilities, and adult living facilities. And, as each of us will one day experience the vulnerability of being a patient at end of life, it is an enormous comfort to see our volunteers out there, doing the work, showing up, and providing an example to others of what a good death can be; our volunteers are our best ambassadors.

Skeptical? Take a look at this report from one our volunteers about one of her routine visits:

"As I walked through the door, I met her daughter on her way out. She's lovely! Seemed very sweet and involved in her mom's care.
We played more country western music and [patient] tapped her foot along.

At some point, [patient] got worried about getting her lipstick smeared on her blanket. She told me that it's still important to look good at [her age] years old because "why not"?

I asked [patient] if she had any advice on making it to [age] years old — she said be happy, stay positive, surround yourself with friends and family, eat good, drink good.

I asked her what she meant by "drink good". She likes beer! 😂

She said that she didn't drink much, BUT every once in a while, she used to really enjoy having a beer with her youngest son. She was close with all her children."

Thank you to that volunteer for: Providing comfort to the daughter, who now knows that her mother has another set of eyes on her, and great social interaction. Joining the patient in the fun of enjoying her favourite music. Giving the patient a chance to show the care she takes of herself and her pride in maintaining her appearance. Asking the patient for advice on how to be like her -- honoring her wisdom and experience and tacitly reminding her that those have great value for younger generations (and getting some great advice!). And last, but not least, celebrating the patient's connection to her family.

That volunteer is wonderful, but also typical of the people who donate their time and talents to EvergreenHealth Hospice.

Isn't it comforting to think that the person in front of you at the checkout line might be a hospice volunteer? Or the person you nod to as you pass by on your morning walk? Your lawyer? One of the people who worked on the softwear that allows you to read this? Your medical assistant, nurse, dental hygienist, your future physician?

Hospcie volunteers come from all walks of life, all professions, all ages and stages, with the same goals: give back to their neighbours, learn a bit more about the world they live in, and support a good death in whatever way they can.

Please enjoy some photos of EvergreenHealth Hospice Volunteers (and their work) past and present.

HAPPY VOLUNTEER WEEK!

03/04/2025

Please join us in saying thank you and goodbye to our dear friend, Callie.

Along with her handler Jim, Callie visited countless patients in the hospital and at the Hospice Care Center. She was always happy to be on the receiving end of pets and cuddles and would often fall fast asleep under the gentle hand of a grateful patient. Callie brought nothing but joy and comfort to all who were lucky enough to spend time with her.

Thank you, Jim, for sharing Callie with us. We miss her.

02/20/2025

Could we love our quilters more?! (Spoiler: NO!)

EvergreenHealth Hospice is beyond fortunate to receive donations from individuals and quilting groups. These wonderful people spend countless hours planning, ironing, pinning, sewing, quilting, and binding the works of art they so generously give to us to distribute.

Every quilt that is donated finds a grateful home, and many of the quilts go on to be a warm reminder of their person, and a cherished family keepsake.

As a public hospital, EvergreenHealth is supported by YOU, our community. It is very special seeing a patient cheered by the generosity of their neighbors.

Thank you to our quilters, crafters, and ALL of our volunteers for being such wonderful neighbors and friends to one another.

02/05/2025

Be careful out there! There is snow on the ground and ice on the roads. To our volunteers who travel to their assignments: If you are not able to get where you are going safely, STAY HOME! The snow will melt, and the work will still be here.

Thank you, as always, for your wonderful dedication AND your good judgment.

02/03/2025

Re: the picture below: if you know, you know.

We just trained another class of volunteers, and this is how one of them arranged all the papers from the loss exercise. 💗

If you are interested in becoming an EvergreenHealth Hospice Volunteer (and understanding the picture below!), please visit our website for ALL the details: https://www.evergreenhealth.com/about-us/volunteer/volunteering-kirkland/hospice-volunteer-services/

12/12/2024

One of our very favorite annual visits took place this past Monday.

Our incredibly generous friends at the Rick Pankow Foundation dropped off -- with great cheer! -- small holiday trees for our patients at the Hospice Care Center and out in the field.

We frequently hear from patients "someone did this just for me?" YES! Isn't it wonderful to know that there are people out in the world who make a point of spreading joy and good cheer?

At what can be one of the loneliest, most vulnerable times of the year, the Pankow trees are a reminder of love and celebration. They brighten patient rooms. Our field clinicians bring them hither and yon to their patients (which makes everyone happy!). All of us have our spirits lifted by the thoughtful generosity those trees represent.

Please join us in thanking the Rick Pankow Foundation volunteers who work so hard to spread their magic.

12/03/2024

Violet was dressed for business today, which is lucky because she was a busy companion to many of our patients and their visitors.

Huge thanks to Violet (and Evelyn, her handler and driver) for getting gussied up and giving such love and comfort to all she encountered. By the end of her shift, Violet was tuckered out -- she really gave it her all!

As Violet and Evelyn were walking down the hall to see their first patient two visitors entered the building, carrying supplies and a suitcase, ready for a long stay to support their person. As soon as they spied Violet, their demeanor changed completely. They could not have been more excited to see her. Their shoulders relaxed, their faces softened, and their voices were buoyant when one said to the other "OH! There is even a dog here!"

Thank you to Evelyn and Violet, and to ALL of our animal assisted therapy teams. Our furriest friends are the ultimate in non-judgmental support, fully accepting of all who need their brand of comfort. We are so fortunate they choose to spend their time at the Hospice Care Center.

photo credit: Evelyn :-)

10/28/2024

New feature: Violet's 'Fit Check!

Animal Assisted Therapy dog Violet always shows up at the Hospice Care Center dressed to the nines. This week, in the spirit of Halloween, she is sporting adorable orange bows that POP against her gorgeous black hair.

Please take a minute to enjoy this adorable photo and tell Violet what a great looking gal she is!

10/14/2024

We have a very endearing new addition to the Hospice Care Center grounds!

Thanks to the generosity of two of our volunteers who very kindly paid for its transportation (one of whom found the statue in the first place and made sure we knew about it) we were able to rehome this beautiful statue from its original home (sadly, due to a move, there was no longer space).

Now that it is safely in place, the statue is already bringing smiles to everyone who passes by.

The movers were TOP NOTCH. The crew could not have been more helpful, friendly, and accommodating. Once I explained why we chose the spot we did (it is where one of our beloved former therapy dogs had her final visits with staff), and that the statue now lives here in honor of our therapy dogs (past, present, and future) we all went back inside to see how it looked and theirs were the very first delighted faces I saw. They were truly moved and proud to be a part of the process.

The statue was in place for only a few minutes before it brought a provider to tears, thinking about her own dogs. As we were talking, a patient's family member who had been here for a few days noticed it and thought it so charming that he asked if it was okay to take a picture.

It is safe to say this lovely donation will be appreciated for years to come and is already providing comfort and happy memories to all.

09/23/2024

It is that time of year again!

09/09/2024

A wonderful note and picture from the Hospice Care Center MSW:

"S was a hospice patient with us starting in the field and dying at the HCC. While she was at the HCC the Executive Director of her care facility visited her and when he needed a moment to collect himself, went out to the garden and saw our rocks of kindness. He was inspired to take one, "it was a fish with a quirky smile just like S." After her passing, he and other staff members at the facility painted more rocks in honor of S. He wanted to extend the thanks from their team for taking care of their "beloved resident."

I also happened to have a call from Sue's daughter, Jennifer, today. She wanted to pass on all her thanks to everyone who cared for her mom and helping her to feel safe."

S must have been a very special and sunny person to have inspired such joyful creations. Our thanks to her family and friends at her facility for trusting us with S's care, and for contributing some of her cheer and light to our garden.