April 7 to 13 is National Volunteer Week, and organizations across the country are celebrating the gifts of time and talent that individuals selflessly give to help others. Nowhere is this commitment more valuable and heartfelt than in hospice – and hospice is thriving in this community thanks to its volunteers.

Even when a person is dying, there can be a lot of living to do and hospice makes it possible by bringing care, compassion, and hope to patients and families facing life-limiting illness. More than 1.6 million Americans receive the care of hospice every year.

Right here in our community, 120+ trained volunteers support people during the journey at life’s end and make the mission of Serenity Hospice & Home possible.

During National Volunteer Week, we honor and celebrate those caring individuals that do so much for so many – particularly those hospice volunteers that accompany people during life’s final journey.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports that there are an estimated 430,000 hospice volunteers giving of their time and talent to patients and families who are coping with life-limiting illness and loss. These trained volunteers provide more than 19 million hours of service every year.

Last year, more than 1.6 million Americans received care from our nation’s hospices. Volunteers were a part of this special care that brings compassion and dignity to patients and their families.

Whether a volunteer is serving at the bedside, in the office, working at our Angel Treasures resale shops, knitting prayer shawls, or raising awareness, they are the heart of hospice.

You can learn more about hospice by contacting Serenity Hospice & Home at 815-732-2499; or visit www.caringinfo.org. During National Volunteer Week, take time to learn more about volunteering opportunities in your community and ways you can support these faces of caring.