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Volunteers Celebrated at Annual Dinner

Posted on April 17, 2018 Categories: News

Pat Myette celebrated her 20th year of volunteering on Thursday.

Thursday night, April 12, marked a special night for the UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice family. Love was in the air as 135 of our hospice volunteers streamed into the Elks Club in Burlington. Sporting a corsage received upon entering, guests mingled with one another and sat down to enjoy the main attraction — which to the volunteers’ surprise, wasn’t just dinner.
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At the front of the room, approximately 20 UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice employees, including CEO Judy Peterson, put on their best Italian personas and belted out their very own version of “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin. As the music flowed, volunteers joined in with lyrics specifically tailored to the valuable tasks they perform: answering phones “with a sweet helpful tone,” sitting “through the night like a beacon of light” or sharing “your big heart that comes right from the start.”
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Next came a delicious Italian dinner and remarks by Volunteer Program coordinators Nancy Morse and Charley MacMartin, CEO Judy Peterson, Vice President of Clinical Services Jim Budis and Respite House administrator Madeline Sullivan-Drake. Keegan read an acrostic poem spelling “RESPITE HOUSE LOVE” that brought some attendees to tears. Graham and Budis wowed the crowd with statistics, showcasing the impact and heart of UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice volunteers.

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Hospice Volunteers by the Numbers:
  • 17,000 hours of service provided in the community and at Respite House
  • 41% increase in volunteer service hours
  • 20% increase in volunteers
  • 75 Noyana performances
  • 2,000 individual meals served
  • 167,693 miles driven by volunteers serving hospice clients in the community

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Volunteers who have served with the UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice for five, ten, 15, 20 and 25 years were called to the front of the room and thanked for their meaningful commitment.

We are so grateful for every volunteer’s hard work and dedication and are excited to continue growing together. We could not do what we do without you. According to Graham, this upcoming year could just be called the year “the UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice Volunteer Hospice Program’s heart EXPLODES and grows 1,000 times!”

As the Elks Club exploded with smiles, laughter, tears and compassion Thursday night, we hope Graham’s prediction will come true.
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Jeanette Voss (left), a 25-year volunteer, receives her gift from Volunteer Coordinator Nancy Morse.

Roberta Hamilton (left) from the UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice Volunteer Office hugs Jackie McGlenn, a 20-year volunteer.

Volunteers Sheara Billado, Judy Barron and Shelley Lamson were all smiles on Thursday.

Volunteer and Respite House namesake Holly Miller gets a squeeze from longtime hospice nurse Mary Loney.

Volunteers Diane Downer, Isis Erb and Deb Wright toast in celebration of Thursday’s event.

Nearly 135 UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice hospice volunteers attended the 2018 Volunteer Recognition Dinner on Thursday.