Apr 7, 2002 3 min read

In celebration of National Volunteer Week observed April 21-27, Albert Gallatin Home Care & Hospice will host a volunteer conference on Thursday, April 25, at the Uniontown Holiday Inn. This conference, entitled “The American Spirit of Caring,” will recognize the special contributions of hospice volunteers. Albert Gallatin Home Care & Hospice (AGHC) has 107 active volunteers dedicated to providing 4,144 volunteer hours to help hospice and home care patients and their families.

AGHC, a Medicare-certified and licensed agency, provides home care and hospice services throughout Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland, Allegheny and Butler counties. The local office serving Fayette, Greene and portions of Westmoreland counties is located at 107 Morgantown St., Uniontown. The Uniontown office has 74 active volunteers.

“Hospice volunteers are absolutely vital in fulfilling Albert Gallatin Hospice’s mission to care for patients and families facing the end of life. By sharing their time, energy and expertise, our volunteers help the patients and families we serve to live life to the fullest,” said Rosemary Hardy, AGHC volunteer coordinator.

“With this conference we thank our volunteers, while raising awareness of hospice and palliative care and the rewards that come from volunteering. Volunteers have always been important in many roles in American society, but evermore so since the 9/11 terrorists attacks. That’s why we’re choosing to call our volunteer celebration, ‘The American Spirit of Caring.'”

The daylong conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on April 25, beginning with registration and a continental breakfast. There will be four educational sessions throughout the day, as well as a luncheon mid-day, where volunteers will be recognized with service awards.

Mary Myers, from Myers’ Naturopathic Health Center in Fairchance will present two separate sessions on reflexology and aromatherapy. Hardy will present a session entitled “Let’s Get Organized.” And Marilyn Cartwright, AGHC bereavement coordinator, will present a session on “Camp Shining Star,” AGHC’s bereavement camp for grieving children ages 6 to 12.

The volunteer program has been serving the agency and its patients for over 11 years. AGHC believes the home care and hospice patients of its communities need to have the care and compassion of their fellow neighbors to provide help and fellowship, thereby enhancing the quality of one’s life.

Volunteers make home visits to terminally or acutely ill patients, or they may choose to volunteer in a number of other ways that have less direct patient contact. A bereavement team volunteer makes periodic telephone or personal contacts to the surviving loved ones of a hospice patient.

An administrative/clerical volunteer performs a wide range of duties in the daily management of the volunteer program and its mission. A special projects volunteer participates in a variety of projects that either directly or indirectly benefit hospice patients and their families. And a telecare volunteer makes periodic friendly phone assurance calls to the patient or family.

To learn more about the volunteer program or to become a volunteer, call Hardy, at 724-438-6660, or phone toll-free at 1-800-245-4155. The AGHC administrative office is located at 20 Highland Park Drive, Suite 302, Uniontown.