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.
For Marty Patrickus, volunteering with Compassus in Arbor Vitae, WI, began as a way to live his faith. Inspired by a friend who worked to establish hospice services in Maine, Marty knew that his interpersonal skills could be used to bring comfort to those at the end of life.
“I realized God had given me the ability to connect with others, and I wanted to use that gift to help,” he shared. “Being a hospice volunteer is about being present—sometimes, you don’t need to talk. You just need to sit and listen.”
Over his four years of volunteering, Marty has learned the immense value of simply showing up for patients. “I’ve learned that hospice patients love to tell their stories,” Marty said. “They don’t want to be forgotten.”
Marty’s volunteer work has grounded him and made him live each day with gratitude. “Each day truly is a gift, and being a part of this process has been life-forming.”
Nancy Schuller’s journey into hospice volunteering began in a deeply personal way. After her father received compassionate end-of-life care through Compassus in 2021, Nancy knew she wanted to give back. She joined the volunteer team in early 2023 and now serves patients and families in Eagle River and St. Germain, WI.
“I saw firsthand how difficult it is for families when they don’t have a local support system. I wanted to be a part of the solution,” Nancy shared.
Nancy’s perspective on hospice care is simple: “Hospice can be joyful. It’s about listening, being present and offering someone a space to talk without judgment. It’s a gift to be that person.”
Through her volunteer work, Nancy has experienced how impactful a simple act of kindness can be. “Whether it’s time, talent or a listening ear, we all have something to give. Every act of service helps build a more resilient and compassionate community.”
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.
For Ann Jelinek, hospice volunteering was a natural extension of her nursing career, which began in 1972. After seeing the spiritual and emotional gaps in traditional medical care, she sought a 
way to offer more compassionate, honest care to those at the end of life. Ann shares her compassion and dedication today as a cherished Compassus volunteer in Rhinelander and Tomahawk, WI.
“I saw many situations where the spiritual aspect of dying was missing, and I wanted to fill that gap,” Ann explained. She was inspired by the hospice team’s focus on providing comfort rather than invasive treatments.
Ann has experienced countless moments of gratitude from patients and families. Moments like those remind Ann why hospice volunteering is so meaningful: it’s about being present and offering comfort when it’s needed most.
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.
