DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997                TAG: 9704180243

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 25   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters 

                                            LENGTH:   73 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - SUFFOLK

April 13-19 was National Volunteer Week, and I would like to thank some of the most dedicated volunteers in our community, those of Hospice Volunteers of the Portsmouth Area Inc.

Most people know that hospice provides a very special kind of care for terminally ill persons and their families, but it's less known that, if it were not for volunteers, our hospice (which also serves Suffolk) could not function.

Even the federal government recognizes the importance of volunteers in the delivery of hospice care by requiring that Medicare-approved hospices utilize volunteers from their community.

Hospice care is provided through an interdisciplinary, medically directed team. This team approach to care for dying persons typically includes a physician, a nurse, a counselor, a member of the clergy, a home health aide, and an important hospice volunteer. While our hospice employs paid professionals, we also rely on these volunteers to provide assistance at all levels of skill.

Locally, 40 persons donated their service to terminally ill patients and their families and to our community hospice during the year. Volunteering for hospice differs from other community work. For instance, hospice patient-care volunteers are required to undergo a standardized training program before being allowed to work directly with a patient or family. They also undergo in-service training.

No task is too big or too small for our volunteers, but often the most important thing they can do is just ``be there'' for patients - to reassure them they are not alone, to hold a hand, to offer a smile, or to just listen. It is not easy work, but the personal rewards are enormous.

The strength and courage of patients provide a constant source of inspiration, and volunteers usually feel they gain more than they have been able to give.

Our hospice is growing as more and more persons seek our help, and we have a constant need for new volunteers.

To learn more about hospice volunteering, call 398-2676, Ext. 621.

In the meantime, we should all be grateful to the volunteers of Hospice Volunteers of the Portsmouth Area Inc. for the wealth of time and compassion they give for the betterment of our community.

Dottie Reish, BSW

Executive Director A `Wheels' success

Suffolk Meals on Wheels recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of serving meals to the elderly and homebound of the community.

We would like to thank everyone who helped make the anniversary celebration a success.

We are indebted to The Sun and Frank Roberts' coverage of Suffolk Meals on Wheels in the past, and we look forward to working with you in the future.

We deeply appreciate the efforts of board members, volunteers, members of the community and the following for their contributions: Suffolk Christian Church, Oak Ridge Florist, Krissy's Hallmark, Photography by Laura Solomon, Bradshaw's Picture Frame Shop, Saunders Business Systems, Be-Lo's, Mr. Hammond at Farm Fresh, and Mr. Harry Leggett.

Bee Norris, Director

Suffolk Meals on Wheels A successful `Break'

The East Suffolk Federated Civic League would like to thank those who supported ``Spring Break 97'' through donations, contributions and volunteering their time to make this project a success.

David Baker

President

Sylvester Jones

Vice President

Harvey Clark

Program Chairman

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