news and community events

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Bill Burton, CCH Volunteer, captures 2009 Community Service Award

People volunteer at Crater Community Hospice for many reasons: one of the more obvious reasons why people volunteer is to do something good for others and to make the community a better place for them-selves and for others.

On Saturday, March 20, Bill and Betty Burton were awarded the Warren G. Thompson Community Service Award by Chester Rotary Club. Bill and Betty have resided in Chester for 40 years and volunteered with numerous organizations throughout the Tri-Cities and Central Virginia. Bill has volunteered for Crater Community Hospice for fifteen years. The award is bestowed to those who selflessly donate their time and talents to the community. “Bill and Betty Burton were easy targets for the award,” said Chris Sovine, Chester Rotarian and a CCH Board Director, “Their giving spirit and service has truly built a stronger community, benefiting all of us.”

“After I retired from Allied Chemical I learned from United Way that CCH hospice was organizing and needed computer support. I started working with CCH before they ad-mitted their first patient. Back then they had three computers, now CCH has their own server and everyone uses a computer. It has grown tremendously,” said Burton.

The nonprofit community is a small one, frequently sharing scarce resources. Bill was soon asked to help CHASSM, Colonial Heights-Chesterfield Alliance for Social Ministry. Later, Brenda Mitchell, CCH CEO, told Bill that the James House, which is located in Hopewell, needed help.

Bill started volunteering as a Boy Scout volunteer and organizing little league teams when he had four children at home. “At that time I worked for Monsanto and they encouraged volunteering; they even gave you time off each month to give back to the community,” said Burton. His wife, Betty, shared the award for her volunteerism with Chester Methodist Church and Hermitage Retirement Home for the past 16 years.

“I enjoy computers but my overall goal was to be useful after I retired. It keeps you mentally and physically active. Volunteering has now turned into my full time hobby. People at CCH are very dedicated and I feel it is worthwhile to serve very dedicated people,” said Burton.

Bill and Betty Burton received Chester Rotary's Warren G, Thompson, Community Service Award. Bill, “Fred”, has been a CCH volunteer for 15 years.

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Message from the CEO

Brenda D. Mitchell, RN, MSN, CS, CHPN Chief Executive Officer

I am always pleased to send my message out to everyone who reads our newsletter. It is especially nice to have the chance to thank our volunteers for the many hours they provide to CCH in so many diverse ways. It seems that every day there is another opportunity for a volunteer to carry out a small deed that adds to CCH services. The opportunities to serve the community are continually growing. The ability to call on volunteers to assist in the office, work on special events like the auction in April, speak to a service group or church, and represent CCH at a health fair allows CCH to be present in the community as much as possible.

Volunteerism is truly the heart of hospice!

The first hospice programs were fully staffed by volunteers who had the vision that no person dies alone. That vision and dedication has not waned. In spite of many regulations, increased scrutiny of medical services, staffing shortages, as well as the economic environment, hospices continue to grow. With growth comes an increased need for volunteers. CCH has recognized this and is reaching out to the boomers, college students, youth, and those working full time, facilitating an easy entry to volunteering. There is no time that CCH cannot use the services of volunteers. It is our philosophy that if we do not nurture and use a volunteer, the volunteer will find something else to do with their time. Everyone‟s time is so valuable and CCH will al-ways provide a worthwhile experience for the volunteer and a much needed service to the recipients. With increasing costs and the anticipation of reimbursement cuts, we are mindful each day of our responsibility to be good stewards of all resources. It is obvious that without volunteer services, funds to provide direct care would be reduced.

CCH is blessed to have each and every volunteer and I am especially thankful for those who have been loyal to CCH from the very early days of the organization. These friends have been supportive and flexible with their hours as well as their skills. We have also been blessed to have wonderful leadership for our volunteers over the years and through our coordinators. Their gifts are evident through the volunteers they trained and sup-ported. Each of you has made our volunteer program stronger and Ursula Ardy is continuing! In closing, I would like to honor the memory of Claire Guerin who I had the privilege of working with closely as she kept CCH medical re-cords organized for many years. As a retired nurse, Claire brought so much more than her expertise each Tuesday morning. Her energy and smile, her generosity and most of all her presence are greatly missed. She was a wonderful CCH volunteer and a very special friend.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy spring.

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The Hospice Volunteer

- Author Unknown

I can’t change your diagnosis but I can listen to you struggle to accept it.

I can’t affect a cure, but I can help make you comfortable.

I don’t have all the answers, but I can be with you when you question.

I can’t keep you from dying but I can help you live today.

I can’t prolong your life, but I can help you see your life has meaning.

I can’t give you my faith, but I can support you in whatever you believe.

I can’t know all the ways you are hurting, but I can hold your hand.

I can’t give you back your family, but when the time comes I can help them let you go.

I can’t take your place in your family, but I can comfort them when you are gone.

I can’t change the outcome, but I can make a difference.

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In their own words

“My patient had just moved to Virginia and had few family members or friends in the area. When she was very near death her family came to visit from out of state. There were two little boys about six or seven years old in the family and of course there were no toys, bikes or other things to occupy children in the currently very somber house. So guess who got the job of taking out the boys to find some entertainment! We started by going to see a movie, but then unfortunately they spied an amusement arcade on the way out of the mall. With a little time to kill we went in, and it was my first and last arcade experience. Whenever I now pass an arcade I think of those two little boys, who will now be grown up.”

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“It was later in the afternoon after my visit with Mrs. E. as I left the nursing home that a gentleman caught my eye and held my gaze. He spoke to me, somehow guessing that I was the hospice volunteer that had been visiting his wife for the past few weeks. I introduced myself and told Mr. E. how much I loved visiting his wife each week and how even though she was unable to speak, I felt she knew me, explaining that her eyes brightened up and her expressions changed when I spoke to her. I prayed with her, I told her how beautiful she was and that I loved her. She grasps my hand firmly when I say goodbye, and I sit back down instantly changing frivolous plans. Later when I saw Mr. E. again, he thanked me for my visits with his wife. He told me how much easier his visits had been with her since we had spoken. As I walked away I felt so blessed to have made a difference in their lives. As I started towards my car, I couldn't move. At that moment I truly felt I had been lifted up by the hands of God.” Debbie

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“I sat with Mr. B. and brought him National Geographic magazines. He says he loves reading and learning new things. He always has a lot to say. Most of our conversations are about hunting and his experiences growing up on a farm. We talked about his family and his hobbies: fixing old guns and hunting. Before I left him I helped uncover the bed sheet from his feet and I filled a jug with ice so he could have cold water. His daughter arrived and said she was pleased that her dad was receiving company. Mr. B. was very upbeat when I told him I'd be returning for more visits."

- From a young volunteer who made a connection when many others couldn’t

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“When I arrived for my weekly visit I was surprised to be greeted by Mr. S, dressed, and announcing at the door that he wanted to go out to eat. He selected a local restaurant where he was employed for many years prior to his illness. It had been a long while since he had been able to go out. Mr. S was weak but when we got to the restaurant. he quickly spotted an old time friend and got to his feet. He then spotted another friend and then his long time co-workers came out to see him. When his food arrived he sat for a moment but was back on his feet surrounded by his friends. When I gently suggested that he eat, Mr. S. laughed and told me he wasn't hungry. We boxed his food and re-turned home. I felt his joy seeing him with his friends in such a lively place! We parted company later in the afternoon with plans for our next visit. The next day I was stunned when Rose called to tell me that Mr. S. died in the early morning hours.”

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“Mrs. H. complained of being in pain. She told me that cancer had spread throughout her entire body. She wasn't eating very much now so I brought her a milkshake and helped her drink it. It had been years since she had one and she was very excited and we both laughed! We always very much enjoyed our visits and time together.”

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“As May approached it became apparent that Teeny did not have the strength to go back to the Amelia Bluegrass Festival, a tradition with Teeny, his family and friends. So we decided to bring the music to him! As I write years later I remember how powerful this celebration of life and music felt! The house was filled with laughter, music, family and friends and the party was underway! In the living room was this man of honor, in his favorite chair, and surrounded by six musicians with guitars, a banjo, a mandolin and a dobro. All his family and friends gathered in that circle. I can still see Teeny‟s face alight with joy, laughing and talking. I had not known this man before this night. I had only met a man struggling with his illness and increasing weakness. I watched him now playing with his grandson. I watched his son caressing his arm. I wandered through the crowd of people listening to many stories of this fine, beloved man.” Karen

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“When I arrived for my visit Mr. C. was in the dining area. When I appeared in the doorway, his face lit up like a beacon. He always gives me a hug and I sit down beside him at the tab-le. What can I say about Mr. C.? He is a wonderful, kind and loving gentleman who loves company. Earlier he asked me to bring pictures of my poodles, so I brought them and he had the best time looking at them. Jokingly, he said, “They are so cute, just like the person sitting next to me!” He really likes to read and talk about the books he reads from the library. He then started talking about his favorite thing which is, DESSERT! After dinner, we took a walk through the lobby where they were set-ting up a fall festival activity. I took him back to his room where he said he was going to read. He gave me hug and I told him I would be back on Thursday. He said he would be looking for me.”

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“It was a beautiful winter's day outside her window and I saw a robin the other day which signaled spring may come sooner than we thought. It was hard leaving Ms. Mary as I knew this would probably be my last visit with this lovely lady. As I got ready to leave, I kissed her on the forehead, held her hand and recited the Lord's Prayer. For the last time, I said good-bye to Ms. Mary, may your journey home be a beautiful one.'” - Cathy, volunteer, on her last visit with Ms. Mary