MEDIA RELEASE

With the opening of Hospice of Hilo’s Pohai Malama a Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Care Center, the organization now seeks needed volunteers to help bring comfort and enhance the quality of life for patients.

“Some of the needs of Hospice of Hilo have changed and we are seeking volunteers to fill different roles,” said Hospice of Hilo Volunteer Manager, Pearl Lyman. “We really need hairdressers and barbers who are willing to lend their skills for the home care program or the care center. We are also looking for people willing to volunteer their time for yard maintenance and floral arrangements at the care center.”

According to Hospice of Hilo Facility Manager Gil Sampaia, “It would be so cool to have service organizations throughout Hilo consider ‘adopting’ our care center’s beautiful grounds. Working on a monthly basis, the many hands of a service organization can make a huge difference in beautifying our garden for the patients and visitors to enjoy.”

Presently, Hospice of Hilo volunteers are called upon to perform an array of supportive services; including patient care and feeding, respite care, bereavement care, transportation, companionship, shopping, errands, active listening and reading, as well as office administrative support, community education and public relations.

“Our volunteers are truly the heart of our organization. We really wouldn’t be able to serve the community and help our patients and their families live better without our volunteers,” said Brenda S. Ho, Hospice of Hilo CEO.

According to longtime Hospice of Hilo volunteer, Marty Buchanan, “If you want to learn about courage, spend time with those to whom the inevitable is close. Meet their caregivers. Observe hospice staff. Therein lies inspiration.”

To find out more about becoming a Hospice of Hilo Volunteer please contact Pearl Lyman at (808) 969-1733 or email pearl@hospiceofhilo.org.