Donations, A Gift of Caring, A Gift of Sharing
Gaston Hospice was established to enhance the quality of life for patients and families, and to provide a caring system to deliver palliative, supportive and educational services for those approaching the end of life.

Your gift is important. Donations from the community are used to bridge the gap between actual cost of caring for patients and the reimbursement paid by Medicare, Medicaid and insurance.

To make a donation, please click here.

Volunteer Opportunites

While Gaston Hospice offers a total system of care provided by physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, counselors, chaplains and other professionals, we recognize that belonging to an extended, caring community is vital to the well-being of our patients and their families. This takes individuals with many talents and time to share of themselves coming together as volunteers.  There are several different ways for individuals to volunteer for Gaston Hospice.   Volunteers are used as family support volunteers, office volunteers, professional volunteers, special events volunteers, bereavement volunteers and volunteer chaplains.  All volunteers except for office volunteers and special events volunteers must attend a 12-hour volunteer training class.  Bereavement volunteers and volunteer chaplains receive additional training after completing the initial training class.

For immediate volunteer needs and training dates, scroll down to 'Volunteer Training Schedule' below or contact Jennifer Cunningham, Volunteer Coordinator at cunningj@gmh.org .  Watch Volunteer Classifieds below for additional opportunities.

 

        Family Support Volunteers

          Family Support Volunteers may be asked to run errands for their patient, help with light houskeeping tasks or

most often simply provide companionship in the home.  Hours are flexible and may be be worked out by the volunteer and  family involved.  Family Support Volunteers receive 12 hours of comprehensive training on such topics as:

• Hospice philosophy and concepts of care
• Physiological, psychological and spiritual aspects of terminal illness
• Symptom management
• Family dynamics and coping
• Emergency procedures, safety issues
• Confidentiality and patient rights
• Procedure for death occurring in the home
• Grief and bereavement
• Documentation and recordkeeping
• Universal precautions

 

   

    

Office Volunteers

work with Gaston Hospice staff completing tasks such as filing, answering the phone, bulk mail preparation, data entry, shredding, telephone calls and more.

Professional Volunteers

are people who are willing to share their talents with patients in need on an individual basis. Some examples may be a carpenter who is willing to build a wheelchair ramp for a patient or a hairdresser who will visit a patient in their home.

Special Events Volunteers

offer their own unique services for special events such as fundraising or community awareness events.

Bereavement Volunteers

contact hospice families after the patient's death. Telephone calls are made from the volunteer's home once a month to offer emotional support to the family members. Bereavement volunteers must complete family support training as well as additional bereavement training.

 

Volunteer Chaplains

are spiritually sensitive lay men and women, as well as licensed and ordained clergy, who serve by helping patients and their families find hope in the face of apparently "hopeless" circumstances.  Training is provided, as is continuing support of volunteers who serve in this capacity.  Contact Chaplain David Herbertson at Gaston Hospice if you are interested in giving your time as a chaplain.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Family Support Volunteer Training Schedule

Gaston Hospice is happy to welcome 16 new members to the Gaston Hospice volunteer family upon the completion of training September 25.  These volunteers are:

Doyle Campbell                              Major Rich Burgeois

Sister Joann Ury                             Charles Lowery

Margaret Pannell                            Carrie Seay

Elaine Kiser                                   Dina Hanna

Rachel Hibberts                              Ryan Rakotz

Connie Williams                             Samuel Taylor

Cheryl Elliott                                  Bonita Owens

Jeane Barnett                                Kitty  Johnson

 If you are you tired of volunteer work that seems unfulfilling or dull, or would you like to experience rewarding one-on-one time with someone who needs your company, you may be interested in becoming a Gaston Hospice volunteer.

Gaston Hospice will hold the next training class for family support volunteers and volunteer chaplains in the spring.  Watch this website for dates.  Attendees must be able to attend all four sessions.  Anyone who is interested in making new friends while helping terminally ill patients and their families should consider coming to the training class.  Gaston Hospice volunteers are asked to give their patient approximately two hours each week. 

The twelve-hour training class includes information on the hospice mission and philosophy, physical and emotional aspects of death and dying, patient safety and patient rights.  If you are ready to make a difference in someone's life by becoming a hospice volunteer, contact Jennifer Cunningham, Volunteer Coordinator at (704) 861-8405.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
Volunteer Classifieds

Bereavement Volunteer Needed

Volunteers needed to provide phone calls to families from the Gaston Hospice office for approximately two hours per week.  Study materials and training provided.  Please contact Terri Ray if interested.

Veterans Needed

Military veterans needed to visit with veteran patients.  Time required varies depending on the need of the patient.

Tuck-In Volunteers Needed

Volunteers needed to make short phone calls from home to newly admitted hospice patients.  This requires no additional training.  Approximate time required would be one or two hours per week.

Office Volunteers Needed

We need someone to staple, fold and affix mailing labels to monthly volunteer newsletter.  Time required will vary, but should be no more than two hours per month.

The Sweetest Volunteers and Cake Baking Team Needed

Group of volunteers needed to bake cakes or make a dessert for patients and their families.   This would be an ideal opportunity for a church group or ladies' group.  We would ideally like two cakes per week from the group.  Cakes would be delivered to the Gaston Hospice office at Water Tower Place.

TLC Volunteers Needed

These volunteers will work with a hospice social worker at Gaston Memorial Hospital to visit hospital-bound hospice patients and their families. Approximate time required would be one or two hours per week.

Anyone interested in either of these volunteer opportunities, please call the Gaston Hospice office and speak with Jennifer Cunningham, Volunteer Coordinator.

 

Want More information?

To find out more about volunteering or about donating to Gaston Hospice, stop by our office or call us at (704) 861-8405.  Fax:  704.865.0590

The office hours for Gaston Hospice are 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. There is a nurse on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for our patients.

Web site designed by
Kevin E. Murray