The act of volunteering is defined by a willingness to give one’s time and effort in service to others. At Compassus, our volunteers embody this spirit by dedicating their time to individuals in hospice care—many of whom are in their final months of life and may have limited support from family or loved ones.
Our volunteers provide invaluable assistance, offering administrative support, helping with household tasks, assisting with transitions and providing emotional and spiritual companionship. Their unwavering compassion ensures that every patient is treated with dignity and respect in their final days.
This National Volunteer Month, we are proud to celebrate our incredible volunteers and recognize the profound impact they make in the lives of those we serve.
Alexander “Sandy” Rutherford’s journey as a hospice volunteer in New Hampshire is one of remarkable dedication. From the very beginning, he demonstrated a level of commitment that went above and beyond, traveling nearly two hours each way just to visit a resident. Today, he continues to spend several days each week bringing comfort to patients across the state. His willingness to step in wherever needed is evident in the way he embraced a bereavement assignment after a single phone call. Within days, he was sitting with someone who had just lost a loved one, offering quiet support and understanding. That individual has since found solace in Sandy’s presence, even joining a grief support group. His kindness and unwavering presence are a testament to the power of human connection.
Bob Van Stedum, who has been volunteering in Missouri for several years, has made it his mission to honor veterans. Many of the patients he meets never received recognition for their service, but through heartfelt pinning ceremonies, Bob ensures they are seen and appreciated. His ability to connect with them opens doors to conversations that might never have happened otherwise—stories long buried resurface, sometimes shared for the first time. Bob’s presence is also a source of companionship, particularly for male patients who struggle with isolation. His impact extends even to the final hours of life, as he volunteers to sit bedside with patients, so they are never alone. His kindness and dedication recently earned him the Missouri Heart of Hospice Award for Patient Volunteer, a well-deserved recognition of his incredible service.
In Colorado, Jamie Peters is proof that even a short time in hospice volunteering can make a profound impact. When she joined, she knew she wanted to use her skills to give back. Inspired by her own grandmother’s experience in a nursing home, where weekly haircuts brought her comfort despite her declining health, Jamie set out to provide the same service to hospice patients. In just a few months, she has already given haircuts to eight different individuals, restoring dignity and confidence with every snip of her scissors.
Cathy Slater has spent nearly a decade as a volunteer in Connecticut, offering companionship to more than 127 patients and logging over 1,200 hours of direct patient care. Whether she’s providing emotional support, a listening ear or simply holding a hand, Cathy approaches every interaction with deep integrity and compassion. But her impact doesn’t stop with patients—she also mentors new volunteers, ensuring they feel prepared and confident in their roles. Her unwavering dedication has strengthened our hospice program in immeasurable ways, and we are honored to shine a spotlight on her service this April.
Brenda Smith’s story with Compassus began through Open Arms Hospice in South Carolina, now known as Bon Secours Hospice by Compassus. After her mother’s passing, she found purpose in giving back, starting as a front desk volunteer before expanding her role to include bereavement support, administrative assistance and anything else that needed to be done. During the early days of COVID-19, when many volunteers struggled to stay involved, Brenda’s commitment never wavered. She earned the nickname “Back Door Buddy” from Rev. Cindy Inman, then Bereavement Coordinator, for her creative and dependable approach to helping. Brenda would complete her work from home and leave it at the back door for Cindy to pick up and bring into the office.
These incredible volunteers remind us every day what it means to serve with compassion. Their kindness and generosity bring light to those in their most vulnerable moments. This National Volunteer Month, we extend our deepest gratitude to all our hospice volunteers. Your dedication makes a difference, and we are honored to celebrate you.
If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, we would love to welcome you to our team. Visit compassus.com/volunteers to learn more.
