Sponsored Article Scan the QR code or visit qrco.de/bgX2MP to learn more about hospice services with Vivie. Vivie Supporting Others at Life's End: The Impact of Hospice Volunteers At Vivie, hospice care goes beyond clinical services. It extends into everyday moments-a quiet visit, a shared story, a steady presence during a family's hardest days. That's where hospice volunteers come in. They offer support that can't be measured in charts and graphs but is deeply felt by the people they serve. Especially during the holiday season, volunteers help create space for peace, comfort, and care. Whether they're sitting bedside, walking a grieving family through the first few weeks after a loss, or helping in the background, volunteers are an essential part of Vivie's hospice services. Many ways to serve. Hospice volunteers serve in a wide variety of roles. Some offer companionship to people receiving hospice care. Others visit with a therapy animal that offers emotional and physical comfort. Some help families complete legacy projects or sit bedside when family can't be there. Others provide administrative support or help host events. All volunteers receive training, where they learn what hospice care really means and how to be present in ways that are respectful and supportive. No medical background is needed-just time and a willingness to serve. The power of presence. Volunteers offer more than help with errands or housework. Their greatest gift is how they show up, whether they offer conversation, a hand to hold, or a break in the day for a caregiver. Each visit is shaped by what that moment calls for-sometimes practical, sometimes emotional, sometimes both. For some patients, what matters most is staying connected to a favorite interest or hobby. "A while back, I had a patient that loved tractors," recalled Amy Beckius, hospice volunteer coordinator. "His volunteer went to the library weekly and checked out all sorts of books on all things tractors. It was the light of his week when Kelly (volunteer) would come and talk tractors with him while his wife ran errands." While volunteers may arrive to read a book or chat over a cup of coffee, what they're really offering is room to breathe- whether it's for the patient or the people around them. "Sometimes it's easier for families to open up to a stranger about the feelings that they are having with the patient," Amy said. "A volunteer can fill that space-a listening, non-judgmental ear." That same presence is especially important in the final days of life. Vivie's vigil volunteers sit bedside when families can't be there. It's a quiet role but deeply felt. Their presence helps ensure that no one is alone during life's final journey. Support that continues past journey's end. Hospice care doesn't end after someone passes. Neither does the support of many volunteers. "Volunteers support families by simply reaching out and letting families know that they care," Amy said. "They also can provide guidance if they have had a similar situation." Volunteers can also help connect families to support groups and community resources. Some volunteers even stay in touch with families they've supported-offering a familiar voice during a season of grief. The life-enriching rewards of giving back. Pat Keipe became a hospice volunteer following a career of caring for others. After spending the first years of her retirement taking time for herself, she discovered she wanted something more. "I realized I missed people and patient contact. So I decided it was time for me to give back," she said. Her first role was supporting hospice patients. "The best part about visiting my patients was seeing their smile and eyes light up at having a visitor," Pat said. "Or the conversation we shared about a story I would read to them. And their appreciation for the visit, conversation, story. Or just my presence." Being a hospice volunteer, Pat said, "gives me personal satisfaction. Because I feel like I am contributing. I've been blessed in my life and it is time to give back." Why volunteers matter. Volunteers play a vital role in hospice care. By offering presence without pressure, listening without judgment, and showing up during some of life's most difficult moments, they help people feel seen and supported. Amy hears often that this experience stays with volunteers long after each visit. "Being allowed into someone's final chapter is truly an honor," she said. Some volunteers come away with a new appreciation for silence-realizing they don't need to fill the room with words. Others say they leave with a deeper appreciation for their own health and time. Being a hospice volunteer is personal. It's quiet. And it matters. A meaningful way to support others. If you've ever thought about volunteering in hospice care, our door is open. Scan the QR code or visit qrco.de/bgX27a to learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer at Vivie. Sponsored Article Scan the QR code or visit qrco.de/bgX2MP to learn more about hospice services with Vivie . Vivie Supporting Others at Life's End : The Impact of Hospice Volunteers At Vivie , hospice care goes beyond clinical services . It extends into everyday moments - a quiet visit , a shared story , a steady presence during a family's hardest days . That's where hospice volunteers come in . They offer support that can't be measured in charts and graphs but is deeply felt by the people they serve . Especially during the holiday season , volunteers help create space for peace , comfort , and care . Whether they're sitting bedside , walking a grieving family through the first few weeks after a loss , or helping in the background , volunteers are an essential part of Vivie's hospice services . Many ways to serve . Hospice volunteers serve in a wide variety of roles . Some offer companionship to people receiving hospice care . Others visit with a therapy animal that offers emotional and physical comfort . Some help families complete legacy projects or sit bedside when family can't be there . Others provide administrative support or help host events . All volunteers receive training , where they learn what hospice care really means and how to be present in ways that are respectful and supportive . No medical background is needed - just time and a willingness to serve . The power of presence . Volunteers offer more than help with errands or housework . Their greatest gift is how they show up , whether they offer conversation , a hand to hold , or a break in the day for a caregiver . Each visit is shaped by what that moment calls for - sometimes practical , sometimes emotional , sometimes both . For some patients , what matters most is staying connected to a favorite interest or hobby . " A while back , I had a patient that loved tractors , " recalled Amy Beckius , hospice volunteer coordinator . " His volunteer went to the library weekly and checked out all sorts of books on all things tractors . It was the light of his week when Kelly ( volunteer ) would come and talk tractors with him while his wife ran errands . " While volunteers may arrive to read a book or chat over a cup of coffee , what they're really offering is room to breathe- whether it's for the patient or the people around them . " Sometimes it's easier for families to open up to a stranger about the feelings that they are having with the patient , " Amy said . " A volunteer can fill that space - a listening , non - judgmental ear . " That same presence is especially important in the final days of life . Vivie's vigil volunteers sit bedside when families can't be there . It's a quiet role but deeply felt . Their presence helps ensure that no one is alone during life's final journey . Support that continues past journey's end . Hospice care doesn't end after someone passes . Neither does the support of many volunteers . " Volunteers support families by simply reaching out and letting families know that they care , " Amy said . " They also can provide guidance if they have had a similar situation . " Volunteers can also help connect families to support groups and community resources . Some volunteers even stay in touch with families they've supported - offering a familiar voice during a season of grief . The life - enriching rewards of giving back . Pat Keipe became a hospice volunteer following a career of caring for others . After spending the first years of her retirement taking time for herself , she discovered she wanted something more . " I realized I missed people and patient contact . So I decided it was time for me to give back , " she said . Her first role was supporting hospice patients . " The best part about visiting my patients was seeing their smile and eyes light up at having a visitor , " Pat said . " Or the conversation we shared about a story I would read to them . And their appreciation for the visit , conversation , story . Or just my presence . " Being a hospice volunteer , Pat said , " gives me personal satisfaction . Because I feel like I am contributing . I've been blessed in my life and it is time to give back . " Why volunteers matter . Volunteers play a vital role in hospice care . By offering presence without pressure , listening without judgment , and showing up during some of life's most difficult moments , they help people feel seen and supported . Amy hears often that this experience stays with volunteers long after each visit . " Being allowed into someone's final chapter is truly an honor , " she said . Some volunteers come away with a new appreciation for silence - realizing they don't need to fill the room with words . Others say they leave with a deeper appreciation for their own health and time . Being a hospice volunteer is personal . It's quiet . And it matters . A meaningful way to support others . If you've ever thought about volunteering in hospice care , our door is open . Scan the QR code or visit qrco.de/bgX27a to learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer at Vivie .