We want to continue to share with you the stories behind some of the faces of TRU. This year’s focus is on a few of our staff and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to care for our community during the pandemic. and today we feature a TRU volunteer.
We hope you will consider making a gift in support of our work and the people we serve. Make your donation today in support of the faces of TRU.
In 1995, my husband and I were living in a small town near Durango where I volunteered for a rural hospice. I also worked for them as a grant writer and volunteer coordinator, and while there, I realized I had a hospice mentality. Later, when we settled in Longmont, I took a job at TRU as an executive assistant. I did this for five years before retiring, but I continued to volunteer at TRU and also worked part-time in scheduling and then finance.
Volunteering has allowed me to make a difference each day. I get to stay engaged, connect with others, and meet our patients where they are during crucial times in their lives. Before the pandemic, I volunteered at the TRU Hospice Care Center, where I did comfort touch, aromatherapy, and pet therapy with my dog Molly, helped the nurses, and made care shawls.
When COVID hit, volunteers were no longer allowed at the Care Center. I was able to return there in early Fall, though volunteers were still not permitted to enter patient rooms. I’ve been able to help out at the Care Center front desk, stock cabinets, and order meals for patients. It’s such a stressful time and hard to see patients and families isolated and unable to take advantage of all the services volunteers usually provide due to COVID restrictions.
TRU staff and volunteers positively impact the people in our community daily. Even during a pandemic, TRU continues to help those living with illness and loss. I’m grateful for my health and the opportunity to be a part of this work.
Volunteers are an essential part of TRU Community Care. More than 300 volunteers assist in providing patients and families emotional, spiritual, and practical support. Complementary therapy volunteers perform energy work, aromatherapy, music, visits with certified pets, and more. Highly-trained volunteers facilitate many of our grief support groups and staff the TRU Thrift Shop.
