Unexpected Connection: A First-time Volunteer’s Rewarding Experience with Hospice

When Julie Swiontek first considered volunteering for Hospice of the Red River Valley, she thought office work suited her best, and she never dreamed she would visit patients. "I thought, 'I don't know how to start conversations. What do I do if something happens?'" she explained. Julie spoke with Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Kristi Sherven, who reassured Julie that all Hospice...

Volunteering with Hospice: A Language of the Heart

For Arlene Schneider, a volunteer with Hospice of the Red River Valley, her experience started out like many others who give of their time, “I was retired, and I like to be busy,” she said. “I was looking for something to do, and they [Hospice] needed the help.” Arlene quickly realized her time with Hospice was anything but ordinary...

A Brit with a Big Heart: One Volunteer’s Experience with Hospice

More than 4,000 miles away and 50 years ago, while growing up in Leicester, England, Hazel Meidlinger couldn’t have imagined the significant role Hospice would play in her life. She was familiar with the concept of hospice care because of its English roots, a movement started by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1948. “I heartily believed in hospice long before...

It Takes All Kinds: An Unexpected Hospice Volunteer

Vibrant, colorful tattoos cover Steve Smedshammer’s arms. Oversized, exaggerated earrings stretch his earlobes. A scratchy beard covers his face. By appearance alone, some might label Steve a hipster, or alternative. Few might be surprised to learn he plays guitar in a metal band. But, Steve is so much more than what meets the eye. You don’t know by looking that...

Two Peas in a Pod – One Volunteer’s Connection to a Patient

Sometimes you meet someone and a natural connection just happens, like an unstoppable force of magnetism. That’s precisely what happened for volunteer Breanna Hanan and hospice patient, Alice.* What started out as a routine college credit requirement, quickly turned into meaningful life lessons and an unexpected friendship. Breanna, an upbeat, cheerful young lady pursuing a nursing degree at North Dakota...

Leona Laugeness: Celebrating Three Decades of Volunteering

After 30 years of service, Leona Laugeness has worn many hats at Hospice of the Red River Valley. While her dedication to the organization is noteworthy, when one considers her commitment is entirely in a volunteer capacity, her story extends beyond admirable, to remarkable. Only an elite few have volunteered for Hospice of the Red River Valley since its...

Why I Volunteer for Hospice

By Hilde van Gijssel, Hospice of the Red River Valley volunteer I believe in living life to its fullest, to make every day worth living. At the same time, I believe there is only one sure thing in life and that is I will die someday. I hope that day will not come for a long time. I am not...

Celebrating 30 Years of Hospice Volunteers

Volunteers have played a pivotal role since Hospice of the Red River Valley’s inception 30 years ago. Today, more than 500 volunteers share their time and kindness with patients and …

Making Unexpected Connections by Volunteering for Hospice

By Cheryl Melbye Hospice of the Red River Valley has had a special place in my heart for years, as I’ve listened to countless stories of lives that have been touched through the care and comfort of this special organization. And as a person who became acquainted with grief at a young age, with the death of my oldest brother,...