“Volunteers are the heart and soul of this organization!”
“Volunteers are the backbone of all that we do!”
Throughout our lives, we hear statements like these. It almost sounds cliché; of course volunteers are important. They take time out of their lives to serve others out of the goodness of their hearts. Both small groups and large organizations would be non-existent without the help of volunteers.
April 18th to April 24th, 2021, is National Healthcare Volunteer Week. Since 1974, we as a nation honor the men and women during this week in April who tackle society’s biggest challenges and work together to create, develop and maintain positive changes for the world. Volunteers are truly doing good work. One of these Exceptional volunteers is Janice Watts, our Careline Hospice 2021 Volunteer of the Year.
Janice Watts-2021 Careline Hospice Volunteer of the Year
83-year-old Janice has volunteered with Careline Hospice for the past year and a half. She is an office volunteer, writing letters to patients, as well as thank you and sympathy cards for our patients and their loved ones.
Janice’s love for volunteering in the healthcare industry did not just start recently. After graduating from Jackson College and getting married to her husband, she became a respite caregiver for a hospice company in the Jackson, MI area.
“I felt like I got more out of that experience than the patients got from me,” Janice said. “I received so much love.”
While working as a hospice volunteer, Janice recognized how afraid some patients would be when they first went onto hospice care and worked with them to cope with the fear. Janice has done some truly amazing things for the hospice patients that she has assisted. Janice shared one story when she typed out a patient’s life story for them before they passed for their family to have when they were gone. Another patient just wanted to have her kitchen cupboards cleaned out, so they were not a mess after she was gone; Janice gladly cleaned those cupboards.
“It was just so rewarding to help these patients at the end of life,” said Janice. “I felt the need to give back.”
Over the years, Janice continued to volunteer and help others while growing her own family. A few years ago, Janice’s husband became terminally ill and Careline provided his hospice care. Janice had nothing but wonderful things to say about the care she and her husband received. She said that without the passion and dedication of the Careline Hospice care team, her husband would not have been able to pass comfortably in their home.
Before he left, he made Janice promise him something.
“He made me promise him to move forward,” Janice said.
After his passing, Janice felt like she wanted to give back. When this writer spoke with Janice, she giggled and said that she already adopted some of the Careline team as her honorary grandchildren, so Careline Hospice seemed like an excellent place to volunteer.
Like so many dedicated hospice volunteers, Janice has been working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She has continued to find ways to volunteer and care for her assigned patients. Even though volunteering is not required, Careline Hospice volunteers continue to connect with their patients. Janice has had to adapt to changes during the pandemic. Thankfully, she has stayed safe and has received her COVID-19 vaccinations.
In her free time, Janice likes to stay active. She exercises and walks as much as she can. Recently, she took a vacation to Florida with her daughter and safely enjoyed shopping and attending church service for the first time in a long time. She has a ton of support around her. Janice is a mother of 5 and has 18 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“Number 18 has just arrived!” Janice noted excitedly.
Volunteer Coordinator Jenny Dragan shared that “Our patients find joy in receiving a letter from Janice. It can make everyone’s day a little brighter.” Jenny went onto say, “I am so grateful for all that Jan does. She is an exceptional volunteer who deeply cares about our patients and families. The letters that she writes are beautiful and personal. We are very grateful for all that she does and she is a valued member of our Careline Family.”
Our volunteers at Careline Hospice, both in the office and out in the field, do so much for our patients. From making welcome packets and mailing letters to providing companionship and helping with light chores around the house. Take some time out of your day to thank a volunteer, or better yet, volunteer yourself! Visit the link below or call us at (800) 961-7650.