POTSDAM -- While their reasons for starting may be very different, for Hospice volunteers, the consensus is the same: it gives them a great sense of fulfillment.

“I can’t think of anything else I do for a couple hours a week that makes me feel so good” said Hospice volunteer Ed Gordon. “My experience as a direct patient care volunteer over the last 20 years makes me question the concept of altruism. Although, I am taking time out of my life to spend with my patients, they are giving me so much more than I could ever give them,” he said.

Direct care volunteers go into homes, nursing homes and hospitals to offer their services to patients and their families. This might include things such as light house work and simply keeping patients up to date on current events or listening to stories about the patient’s life.

“I am there to do whatever it is the patient and family need. It is a way to give the caregivers a break to get some rest or to do something for themselves, which is very important” said volunteer Shirley Martin.

“You become an important part of the family very quickly. Patients often share stories and things that they don’t even tell their own children,” Martin said.

“It’s a different, very special kind of relationship” she said.

Volunteers enjoy getting together and telling of experiences they’ve had while with a patient. One volunteer spoke about helping to bring his patient to his son’s high school graduation. “This was clearly a very important, meaningful event in this family’s life. It was a privilege to be a part of it,” he said.

When asked what the reaction is when people hear they volunteer in the homes of patients on Hospice care, the volunteers say the most common reaction is “oh, how depressing” or “I could never do that.”

While these reactions may seem harsh, Ed Gordon says that reaction comes from fear.

“Of course people would be afraid, everyone is afraid of the unknown,” Gordon said. “If everyone experienced this just once, they would be hooked on how good it feels.”

The volunteers admit they do experience some sadness and grief when they lose a patient, but rather than feeling depressed each time they leave their patients, Bob Marlow says “it’s the opposite of depressing, I always leave feeling so built up and fulfilled. As someone who is retired, it leaves me feeling needed and appreciated.”

Many volunteers say their service is a way to give back to Hospice for the care their loved ones received when they needed them. While direct patient care isn’t for everyone, there are many other opportunities to offer time and talents.

Events like Swim a Mile for Hospice, the annual Community Bank Golf Tournament and Tastes of Spring and Autumn are all events that take a small army of volunteers to run smoothly.

There are also many opportunities to provide administrative help around the office. Pat Strader became a volunteer after she had three family members on Hospice services. “For my family, they were wonderful. I knew that I wanted to do something to give back to the organization, so I started helping out around the office. I like being here and I know that I’m doing something good for an organization that was so good to me and my family.”

Becoming a Hospice volunteer is easy. The next training course is being offered at the Hospice Center in Potsdam beginning March 19. The 24-hour training course is offered over the course of a couple of weeks and will prepare a volunteer to help in whatever way they choose.

Those interested in becoming a volunteer with Hospice may contact Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Brailsford with questions at 265-3105, or people may sign up online at www.seriousillness.org/slv.