Page 39 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2024 - Online Magazine

OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE
TO Serve

How to: IMPACT

Another’s Life While Improving Yours

by John Castro

ife offers us endless advocate for hospice care and wants Volunteers also enjoy participating
opportunities to impact the to share this message with anyone in memorials and children's events
Llives of others. By taking considering volunteering: “When you organized by the bereavement team.
advantage of these moments, we volunteer, you often receive more The important thing is that you are
can make a positive and enduring than you give. You might just find a positively impacting someone's life,
impact on our community. Studies lifelong friend along the way.” no matter what role you choose.
reveal that living with intention
not only increases our own sense Coordinating the volunteer program Tammy wants people to know, “There
of fulfillment but also promotes a at Hospice of Lubbock requires a are certain requirements in place to
broader outlook on life. A recent special person. Tammy Jasper is the ensure the safety of both our patients
study conducted by AARP revealed driving force behind the program, and the volunteers themselves,”
that 96% of volunteers indicated from guiding the volunteers to but becoming a volunteer is an easy
that their experience in volunteering ensuring that all compliance process. If you are interested in
significantly improved their sense standards are met. She started her serving your community as a hospice
of purpose. Volunteering enables us journey with Hospice of Lubbock in volunteer, please reach out to Tammy
to put our skills and talents to good 2021 and transitioned to the position Jasper at 806-725-0859. She can't wait
use, and it's often the little things that of Volunteer Coordinator in 2023. to hear from you!
create a significant impact. What she loves most about her job is
knowing that even patients
Hospice of Lubbock has provided without families are
volunteering opportunities for remembered and cared for.
individuals since 1987. While the
organization and the community have Tammy explained
evolved significantly over the years, that the role of a HOL
the demand for volunteers remains volunteer can include
as important as ever. I had the both indirect and direct
chance to connect with a volunteer patient interaction. Some
named Debra. She initially began volunteers assist in the
her volunteer work with Hospice of office or make lap blankets
Lubbock in 1991. After graduating for veteran patients, while
from college to become a nurse, others enjoy more personal
she stepped away but returned to interactions, engaging
volunteering in 2019. Debra chose to one-on-one with patients.
volunteer with Hospice of Lubbock Volunteering with Hospice
because her mother was one of the of Lubbock offers a
first patients to benefit from their variety of other rewarding
care. She shared with me her belief experiences, such as
that volunteerism plays a crucial role playing games, preparing
in patient care, adding a dimension meals, gardening, creating
that goes beyond clinical or spiritual memory bears, and, Memory bears and a quilt crafted
by dedicated volunteers of
support—it's about building above all, providing Hospice of Lubbock.
friendships. Debra is a passionate companionship.

Lubbock Senior Link 39