KAILUA-KONA — According to Hospice of Kona volunteer and board member, Arron Biber, many people think hospice is just a place people go to die. But more than 200 hospice volunteers at Thursday’s Hospice of Kona annual Volunteer Appreciation party suggest otherwise.
The vast majority of this army of helpers aim to give back to the organization that once helped them.
“If it weren’t for hospice I wouldn’t have been able to be with my sister when she passed away. As hard as it was, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Biber.
“We have such a skewed process of how (hospice) works. They just want to push it away, we don’t want to deal with it…this isn’t just a place to die, it’s to have support and to die with dignity,” he explained.
“I want to be part of this because nobody should come to that point in life and not have that kind of support,” Biber added.
And support the volunteers certainly give, in a wide variety of ways.
Some volunteers assist with support groups, while others help with office work. Many volunteers help care for patients. And several are dedicated to helping with not just one, but multiple facets of the organization.
“At the end of the year, our active volunteer count was 255 volunteers to 30 employees. So we have a lot more volunteers,” said hospice CEO Laura Varney.
Varney said volunteers play an integral role in the organization. From installing grab bars and light bulbs to massage therapists and those who cut hair, Hospice of Kona has its patients covered.
“Almost anything you can think of, I can find a volunteer who can do it. We’ve got somebody who has that skill,” Deann Canuteson, director of volunteers at the Hospice of Kona, said.
But it’s not just the quantity of services that Hospice of Kona provides, it’s the quality.
Canuteson, having joined the organization in February, is still overwhelmed by the volunteers’ dedication.
“I’m still with my eyes wide open; I just can’t believe all these people — because I’ve worked in nonprofits since I was 18 years old and I’m 61. To have this many people giving back and volunteering their time for all kinds of things,” she said, observing the dozens of volunteers attending the party.
The volunteers are trained extensively. Their unique experiences and expertises are even matched with patients to provide the best support possible.
One such volunteer matched with a cause is Danielle Swenson. She volunteers to help run Camp Erin, a grief education camp for children to help young ones cope with the loss of loved ones.
“Since Camp Erin is focused on kids who lost a parent, I could relate; I lost a father. So for that reason, it’s kind of doing that for him, but also that I can help people who have gone through that,” Swenson said.
Varney said volunteer experience is rewarding.
“It’s much like at birth, everyone gathers together and celebrates birth. With hospice we gather together and celebrate that transition to the end of life. And it’s an amazing experience to be allowed to be part of that,” Varney said.
Varney wants to make sure the team of volunteers feels appreciated, with Thursday’s evening of ice cream cake, bingo, and a catered dinner at the Old Airport Pavilion.
“It’s the one night the volunteers are not allowed to help,” Varney joked.
But even while they are helping, the volunteers still feel celebrated.
“I don’t think there’s a moment that goes by that we don’t feel appreciated,” said volunteer Kay Lund.