Volunteers accumulated 3,076 hours of service to the dying and shut-ins of the Creston Valley in 2015, members were told at the Creston Valley Hospice Society annual general meeting on Jan. 27 at the Rotacrest Hall. These statistics, recorded by hospice co-ordinator Benita Josephson, make the Creston society the most active in the area.
President June Moseanko reminded the 34 members present of the accomplishments of 2015, beginning with the furnishing of the Kulilu palliative care room at the Creston Valley Hospital, in partnership with the Creston and Creston Valley Rotary clubs.
Hospice provides volunteers to sit, in shifts of two hours, with the dying, in hospital, in care homes or at home. Members also offer respite relief and visits to shut-ins or chronically ill.
Volunteers are screened, trained, provided meetings every second month with guest speakers, and receive a quarterly newsletter and an annual thank you dinner.
Hospice survives solely on grants and fundraising. This year’s raffle will be for a handmade quilt, donated by vice-president Terri-Lynn Barrette. Member Laurel McNamar enthusiastically heads the drive for donations.
New brochures will be soon available at the hospital, Swan Valley Lodge and Crest View Care Village, as well as doctors’ offices. The hospice website, maintained by Dr. William Mitchell-Banks, can be visited at www.crestonbc.com/hospice.
Those interested in requesting hospice services or in becoming a volunteer, can call co-ordinator Benita at 250-428-7575.
—CRESTON VALLEY HOSPICE SOCIETY