Volunteer
Many people ask what they can do to help ensure hospice will always be available to those who need it. At Good Sam, we rely heavily on gifts of time and talent to meet the needs of our community. You do not need previous volunteer experience; just the desire to help others in their time of need. We provide specialized hospice training through both our offices in Roanoke and the New River Valley.
Volunteers: Vital members of the team
Volunteers are such an important part of what we do at Good Sam. They make it possible for us to provide quality care and support services for people in the final stages of life. Our volunteers work closely with an interdisciplinary team to support our patients and family members.
What Volunteers Do:
Family Support Volunteer – Become a special friend to hospice patients and families in their home or place of residence. You will participate in our comprehensive training program to become familiar with the hospice concept of care, gain experience with communication skills and learn more about the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families. Trained Family Support Volunteers may later choose to become a Doula.
Office Volunteer – Provide important support services such as answering telephones, filing, assisting with mailings, working on the computer and other special tasks.
Special Projects Volunteer – Help us plan our special projects, including fundraising, community education and other special events. You may also volunteer your assistance in personal areas of expertise such as baking, yard work and sewing.
GOOD SAM HONORS VETERANS PROGRAM
Good Sam recognizes the privilege and responsibility of serving our country’s veterans when they reach the final chapter of their life. To ensure up-to-date education for our team and readily available resources for our veteran community, a designated task force focuses on ways to recognize and meet the challenges veterans may be facing at end-of-life, given their unique experiences serving in the military.
Good Sam participates in a variety of veteran-centric initiatives, including special pinnings, presentations and outreach events. Our team focuses on each individual veteran and what his/her specific needs may be. Among other programs, we have conducted personal pinning ceremonies and presented hand-made branch specific quilts, all designed to honor and thank our veterans for the sacrifices they’ve made for our country.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a hospice volunteer, please contact us at 540-776-0198 or email volunteer@goodsam.care
