Hospice volunteers honored at a annual conference
Kathleen Forejt stood before the large sketchpad highlighted by an overhead work lamp while the rest of the room was filled with darkness. An inspirational chalk artist from Scottdale, Forejt was using her art to provide a soothing and healing session as she created a sketch of the Resurrection while playing a tape of Christian music for volunteers from Albert Gallatin Home Care and Hospice.
Forejt’s session took place during the agency’s recent Third Annual Volunteer Conference at the Uniontown Holiday Inn. Albert Gallatin offers this conference each spring as an appreciation for its hospice volunteers who help families deal with the end of a life. This year’s theme was “In Honor of Excellence, In Honor of You.’
“You are a volunteer group that takes care of very needy people,’ Forejt told the volunteers as she started her session. “I’m sure you see lots of distressing things and encouraging things.’
Forejt wasn’t the only one who offered encouragement to the volunteers although the conference was filled with opportunities for them to relax and unwind from the stressful work they do.
Donna Green, certified image consultant from Farmington, noted, “You have to love yourself and help yourself first before helping others. Otherwise, it drains you.’
Dr. Robert Baker, a chiropractor from Uniontown, talked about a friend who’s grandfather recently died and how hospice helped the family: “You are a godsend.’
Rosemary Hardy, Albert Gallatin’s volunteer coordinator, welcomed the volunteers to the conference, saying, “I hope you find today educational, relaxing and reaffirming for the work you do.’
She quoted statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor that noted 59 million Americans performed volunteer service from September 2001 to September 2002. That means that one in four people age 16 and over volunteered their time to others.
At Albert Gallatin, Hardy said volunteers logged 3,820 hours of time for fiscal year 2001-2002. The agency has 21 new volunteers this year with 116 active volunteers all together.
“You do so many things to promote better end of life care,’ said Hardy.
She talked about their compassion and noted, “I never want a day to go by without you knowing how much you are appreciated.’
In addition to fun tips and useful information on new privacy regulations, Albert Gallatin also recognized its volunteers with service awards at a noontime luncheon. Among those honored was Pearl Martin of Brownsville, who has been a hospice volunteer for 20 years.
Martin, who was unable to attend the conference, explained later in a phone interview that she decided to become a volunteer after reading about the hospice in the newspaper.
“My mother had cancer and maybe that’s why I did it. I’m not sure,’ she said.
Martin started volunteering while still working. She gave physicals for insurance companies. Today she is retired but also keeps busy as corresponding secretary for Brownsville Women’s Democrat Club as well as a member of the Brownsville Garden Club and a couple of dance clubs in Pittsburgh.
“It’s interesting,’ Martin said of life as a hospice volunteer. “You meet so many interesting people. All people are nice. You make new friends.’
For most of those 20 years, Martin went into people’s homes to assist where she could. Now she makes bereavement calls, contacting the family after a loved one has died.
“Most of it is women whose husbands die. I think it does them good to talk,’ she said.
After 20 years, however, doesn’t hospice work prove difficult?
“I don’t think so,’ said Martin. “If it were, I probably wouldn’t have done it. Sometimes it’s sad. People die. I can’t say it’s fun.’
But is the work important?
“Wouldn’t it be important if someone died and you needed someone to talk to?’ answered Martin.
She thinks highly of the hospice program and other hospice volunteers: “I think the hospice program is a great thing. It makes it easier for people who are grieving. I think it’s great people who are willing to do this. A lot of people don’t care to do it because it is volunteer. It takes a certain type of person to be a volunteer. But you get a lot of satisfaction out of it.’
Asked if she was pleased to be recognized, Martin commented, “I thought that was great. But when you’re a volunteer, you don’t expect anything.’
Still Albert Gallatin offered that recognition as well as a chance for its hospice volunteers to relax and enjoy themselves at the conference: that alone is a significant and very rewarding experience.
Here’s a look at what the experts had to offer:
Donna Green of Farmington, image consultant
A former Miss South Carolina World who competed in the Miss World USA pageant and then worked as a fashion coordinator for a department store as well as a model and pageant judge, Green is now a certified image consultant for BeautiControl Cosmetics.
The South Carolina native shared advice, noting, “We’re going to touch the surface of what you can do for you. This is not a serious program. This is a fun program.’
Green gave tips on how to dress well and the best colors to complement your complexion, as well as hairstyles and make up.
Showing a slide of a woman who had applied blush under her cheekbones, Green said, “That’s make up for the stage or a photographic assignment. I see ladies like that and I want to walk up to them with a sponge. It’s got to go on the right place (the cheek) and it must be blended.
She spoke about helping college graduates pull together a wardrobe for work: “I teach them to go out and create a core wardrobe. Pick a suit in a dark color that’s right for you and add pieces in other colors that will coordinate. Start out by buying the best suit you can afford and save money for tailoring.’
Regarding shopping, Green said, “I go shopping seasonally and that’s it. I don’t frequent stores. If you don’t see it, you don’t want it. … Notice how those people who buy on impulse never seem to have anything to wear.’
On casual clothes, she said, “We all have blue jeans and Dockers in our wardrobe. Make sure they fit: not too tight and not too short. Look in the mirror. A lot of ladies don’t like to look in the mirror. They just put things on and go.’
Also be careful of first appearances, especially on a job interview: “It says a lot if your shoes are torn and worn. It says you do not pay attention to detail when maybe you do.’
Green recommends keeping hairstyles and eyeglasses updated.
And she said, “Don’t be afraid to try something different.’
Dr. Robert Baker, Baker Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Uniontown
The Iowa native who is in private practice and is team chiropractor for the Uniontown Red Raiders football team gave practical advice on maintaining good health, including diet, exercise, avoiding destructive habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol use as well as managing stress and maintaining a positive outlook.
“The person who is responsible for your health is you,’ Baker said. “You can see health care providers and have your family tell you what you should do but you must take the initiative.’
He noted the latest federal guidelines call for people to exercise 40 minutes five or six times a week. Baker stressed that human beings are creatures of habit and that good habits can be learned as well as bad. Even practices such as good posture and sleeping habits can affect someone’s health.
Good health can be measured by muscular strength, endurance, range of motion, ability to react and body composition.
“That’s a true measure of age,’ Baker noted.
He also warned against over-training and the importance of warming up and stretching when exercising.
Baker started his session talking about a new study that has determined being overweight can be a contributing factor to cancer.
“Obesity is an epidemic. Over 50 percent of people are overweight and over 35 percent are obese,’ he said.
Baker noted, “It’s important to limit fat to less than 10 percent. Most Americans’ diet is 45 percent fat. You have to be aware all the time.’
And he advised, “Don’t forget the spiritual part.’
Kathleen Forejt, inspirational chalk artist
Forejt, of Scottdale, used her talents of singing and art in her session. She considers them gifts from God.
She began by reading Bible verses from John quite appropriate for a hospice audience: “I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; And whosover liveth and believeth in me shall never die.’
Forejt also sang a song called “I Give You Jesus’ before beginning her sketch.
“I hope you enjoy this. I’m going to turn off all the lights so don’t get scared. It’s better when it’s done in the dark,’ she said.
Forejt played a tape of Christian music while she created her sketch. She started with a blue sky, added mountains, plants, three crosses and a Resurrected Jesus.
She used neon chalk for her work. The effects of this tool were not actually demonstrated until Forejt completed her sketch and then began shining different colored lights on it. The different colors in the lights affected the sketch to bring out different shades. The sketch appeared to change time as well going from day to night in a matter of minutes and then back again.
“It’s beautiful,’ a thrilled audience remarked.
Asked how she started working with neon chalk, Forejt explained, “I’ve been an oil painter for some time. Nine years ago, a friend of mine told me about a camp in Ohio for inner city kids. I had seen this done in our church.’
After some research, Forejt visited the camp and created a painting that brought the youths to tears.
“I took it as a sign to keep doing it. I’ve done this for lots of groups and in lots of homes,’ Forejt said.
The artist has created about 100 of these chalk sketches, using 20 to 30 different themes.
“God has really given you a talent,’ said one of the volunteers, “and you have shared it with us.’
For more information on being a volunteer for Albert Gallatin Home Care and Hospice, phone 724-438-4468.