Hospicare depends on the incredible commitment of our volunteers—people who give their time, talent, and heart to support patients, families, and our entire community.
Together, volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year, providing direct patient support, helping in the office, and assisting with fundraising events that sustain our programs.
There are three main ways you can get involved:
Patient Support Volunteers
Specially trained patient support volunteers commit to assist our patients and their families two to four hourPatient support volunteers are vital members of the team who commit 2–4 hours per week to support patients and families in a variety of meaningful ways.
After completing our core training, you can help with:
- Companionship: Sit quietly, listen, read aloud, or simply offer a comforting presence for a patient in their home or the facility where they reside.
- Respite: Give family/caregivers the chance to rest, run errands, or care for themselves.
- Practical Help: Assist with small household tasks, run errands, pick up groceries, or help organize paperwork.
- Special Projects: Help with creative tasks like scrapbooks, photo albums, or Legacy Letters.
- Massage: Provide gentle, relaxing touch, if you are a licensed massage therapist.
- Pet Visits: Bring certified animals to visit patients in our residence.
- Threshold Singers: Offer comforting music at the bedside for our patients and their families, as part of a specially trained singing group.
- Tuck-In Phone Calls: Make weekly calls to ensure patients are comfortable and have sufficient medications and supplies before the weekend comes.
- Grief Support: Provide support to the bereaved through calls and mailings.
Ready to get started? Fill out our volunteer application or contact our Manager of Volunteer Services, Wendy Yettru, at 607-272-0212 to learn more.
Hospicare Ambassador Program
Team up with Hospicare staff and other community members to help spread awareness in Cortland and Tompkins counties. If you enjoy interacting with your community, this could be the perfect fit for you. Ambassadors will help with:
- Staffing information tables at community events
- Distributing information to libraries and community centers
- Helping with small events or civic engagement projects
- Sharing Hospicare’s story with small groups, like Rotary clubs or churches
Training and support is provided at monthly meetings. Learn more and get started.
Community Support Volunteers
Not every volunteer role involves direct patient care!
Our community support volunteers help with:
- Office work and administrative tasks with the Development Department.
- Organizing or setting up for events like Illuminations or Seasons of Solace
- Assisting during fundraising events, like helping swimmers stay safe during Women Swimmin’ for Hospicare
These roles require only a short orientation and are a wonderful way to give back if you prefer a behind-the-scenes role.
For more details, please contact our Director of Development & Community Relations, Emily Hopkins, at 607-272-0212.
Stories from Our Volunteers
Many people help out at Hospicare – both those who are part of our formal volunteer program and those who help out on an occasional basis, including those doing community service from local schools and colleges. Here are some of their stories:
It’s an Honor to Volunteer! – Cheryl Jewell talks about her experience volunteering to prepare meals in the Hospicare Residence.
Fond Memories -Marlaine Darfler, LMT reflects on her many years of being involved with Hospicare.
Learning to Be With the Dying -Angela Mennitto tells her personal story of learning to be more comfortable being with people who are dying.
