Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Alex Stawinski Deanna Heath, director of Hospice of Central Michigan, left, speaks with Jo Anne Painter of Alma and Kathy Gordon of Lake Isabella during an activity Monday at Hospice volunteer training in the United Methodist Church, 327 East Drive. "I've worked with elderly people all of my life and right now I am just building up in that area," Painter said. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Alexander Stawinski Heath speaks to volunteers Monday during a Hospice of Central Michigan training seminar at the United Methodist Church, 327 East Drive. "We have more than 100 active volunteers and they provide thousands of hours of volunteer work," Heath said. [Click to enlarge]

Hospice of Central Michigan will open the doors of a new building in May.

When it does, Central Michigan University students will be there.

"The greatest thing is just seeing that (the patients) enjoy you being there in their last moments," said Ashley Linden, president of Students for Hospice of Central Michigan and Rochester Hills sophomore. "It warms your heart when you visit someone and talk to someone and you see them smiling."

The Hospice is a nonprofit organization that provides care to people who have been told by a doctor they have six months or less to live.

South Lyon senior Lynn Baca, vice president of the new registered student organization, said student volunteers have the opportunity to give the permanent caregivers a break. They spend time with the client and allow the caregivers to get away, go shopping, get coffee or just get their minds off of things, she said.

Linda Carey, volunteer coordinator for the Hospice of Central Michigan, said volunteers are a huge part of the organization. They provide companionship, share thoughts and interests with the patients, help with lawn care and help with maintenance along with many other things.

"It's amazing what Central Michigan Hospice volunteers do for us," Carey said. "I don't know what we'd do without them."

The RSO was formed at the end of the last semester and Linden said members are eager to get people involved.

The organization will have an informational meeting Feb. 21 outside of Charles V. Park Library for any interested students.

Students must be active volunteers for Hospice, and must go through training before they can begin volunteering, Baca said.

The next training opportunity takes place in May. There are about 20 to 24 hours of intensive training, Baca said.

The current facility is at 401 S. Main St. The new Hospice House will be located three miles west of Mount Pleasant. The offices will be moved there along with having eight resident suites, which will bring more opportunities for volunteering, Carey said.

Volunteers also raise money for Hospice. Students for Hospice of Central Michigan plan on doing a fundraiser at Culvers, 1021 E. Pickard St., later in February, Baca said.

For more information about training, contact Carey at 773-6137. For info about Students for Hospice of Central Michigan, contact Baca at baca1lm@cmich.edu or Linden at linde1an@cmich.edu.


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