Hospice offers thanks to its many volunteers

Rena Picou Trevathan
July 12, 2011
Jeanne R. Lefort
July 14, 2011
Rena Picou Trevathan
July 12, 2011
Jeanne R. Lefort
July 14, 2011

Dear Editor,


There are so many wonderful people out there who give their time and effort every day by volunteering. They want to make a difference, no matter how big or small.


I sincerely want to thank everyone who has volunteered at some point in their lives or who is planning to volunteer in the future. It would be very difficult to get all the things done that need to be done if not for the hard work and dedication of volunteers.

We at SouthernCare Hospice value our volunteers and want to pay tribute to them in this small way. We can’t thank you enough.


My philosophy as the volunteer coordinator on attracting and retaining volunteers at SouthernCare Hospice is very simple.


A wise man once said to me, “The leader finds the dream and then the people. The people find the leader and then the dream.” To attract and retain volunteers, the leader must challenge and inspire. If we expect excellence, we get excellence.

My job as volunteer coordinator is to encourage our volunteers and help them reach their goals. Every volunteer arrives at our door fired up with excitement and a burning desire to help people and make a difference. High standards start with us. We must know and understand what we are here for and what we want to accomplish.


We have a job to perform that makes a difference in people’s lives. We use volunteer staff to accomplish this task. We could not get it done without them. We, as volunteer leaders, have to be the kind of people that others want to follow.

There is a saying that “managers do things right, but leaders do the right things.” When you work with volunteers, doing the right thing is critical. This involves continually motivating them and selecting the right people for the right task. Volunteers look up to their leader. They have to be able to see commitment in and be able to trust the leader. Commitment inspires and draws volunteers to you. Leadership is a skill that can both be learned and then continually refined. It is the key skill of the volunteer coordinator.

People volunteer for many reasons. They always have a purpose. We need to understand that purpose in order to attract and retain volunteers. Always remember that volunteers are valuable. They have to feel that their efforts are appreciated and believe that they can make a difference. If you make them feel good about themselves, they will follow you to the ends of the Earth.

Thank you volunteers, you truly do make a difference.

If you would like to volunteer for SouthernCare Hospice, call (985) 448-0235.

Patricia Kraemer,

Volunteer coordinator

SouthernCare Hospice