Hospice of Michigan provides a meaningful and important service, helping to ensure compassionate end-of-life care for patients.

To do that, Hospice depends on teams of volunteers to spend time with patients to make sure their final days are filled with companionship.

Now, News staff writer Mike Gonzalez reported recently, Hospice is in urgent need of additional volunteers to work with patients in Presque Isle County.

The group needs one to three volunteers to serve in each of Posen, Rogers City, Presque Isle, and Millersburg, the group told Gonzalez.

Currently, volunteers from the Alpena area drive long distances to spend time with patients in those places. Hospice would like volunteers from patients’ communities.

No special skills are needed, just a willingness to spend time with someone who will appreciate it.

“Companionship volunteering can really look different depending on the person,” Kathy Lietaert, the statewide manager of volunteer services for Hospice of Michigan, told Gonzalez. “It might look like conversations with patients and family members, reading to patients, or even listening to music together. We do have musicians for patients, but it could be something as simple as playing something on your phone.”

We urge anyone who has the time and the heart to do the work to visit hom.org or call Lietaert at 231-779-5409.

“If you’re considering hospice volunteering, please make the leap,” Lietaert said. “You will receive so much in return when you can help patients and families at end of life. If you’re compassionate and have a desire to help others, this is the volunteering job for you.”

— Alpena News