Hospice care volunteers give their time and talents to help a hospice organization and the patients and families served by the not-for-profit hospice.
Volunteers perform many important duties. Whether providing companionship in a patient’s home, greeting guests at an inpatient center, assisting with a special event, or handling other meaningful tasks — volunteers play a vital role that enables the hospice to more fully meet the community’s needs.
At Samaritan, our many volunteers help us carry out our critical mission. In return, they receive satisfaction and fulfillment — among many other benefits. In fact, Samaritan volunteers frequently say they get more from the experience than they give.
People often become a hospice care volunteer after a loved one benefits from hospice care.*
Samaritan volunteer Joan Klinger says her husband “was treated with respect and dignity” and she, too, “received emotional support from Samaritan’s staff.
“This experience led me to become a hospice volunteer,” Joan explains.
In other cases, community members simply want to give back.
“I was a nurse for more than 30 years,” says J.S. “When I retired, I wanted to find a way to still help people, and volunteering for Samaritan fulfilled that desire.”
*Samaritan requires a one-year wait period after a significant loss before a person can begin volunteering or six months to volunteer at the thrift store.
Click to learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer: Volunteering at Samaritan
At Samaritan, hospice volunteers do many things and fill a variety of roles, including direct support to patients and families, administrative services, and participation on a wide range of committees.
Patient/Family Support Volunteers visit patients and families in their home, or long-term care facility. Volunteers provide companionship to both patient and family caregiver. They’re a caring, friendly face for chatting, reading, playing games, watching TV, listening to music, and sharing stories. Volunteer visits also offer respite to the family caregiver to take a break from caregiving.
At Samaritan, our wonderful volunteers know that giving back to family, friends, and community matters. They tell us time and again that volunteering gives them a sense of fulfillment – that they feel blessed to take away more than they give!
Vigil Volunteers provide a supportive presence during a patient’s final hours. They offer a beautiful final gift of peace and solace to those they serve. Vigil Volunteers may hold the person’s hand, speak or read to them, play the person’s favorite music, or simply be a comforting presence at the bedside. Vigil visits help support family members who may not be able to stay with the patient. Vigil volunteers must first serve as patient/family support volunteers and complete advanced training.
Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteers provide support from military veterans to Samaritan’s veteran patients. Veterans often appreciate contact with another vet – someone who personally experienced the culture of military service – even if they served during a different time or place. Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteers may share stories and experiences; assist with pinning, medal and blanket presentations; record stories to preserve in the Library of Congress or for the family’s legacy and help obtain missing medals. Samaritan’s specialized Veterans Hospice Program is a proud participant in the national “We Honor Veterans” program. Samaritan provides thorough training, so volunteers feel comfortable and prepared for this rewarding service for their fellow vets.
Pet Therapy Volunteers provide direct support to Samaritan patients through visits with their already-certified therapy dogs.
Bereavement Volunteers make phone calls from their own home to those who’ve recently experienced a loss to remind them that Samaritan is still there for them if they need grief support or other assistance.
Music Performers share the gift of music with patients and their friends living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. These hospice volunteers must be comfortable performing for groups and provide their own instruments (if applicable).
Samaritan thoroughly screens and trains its volunteers, ensuring safety and quality for patients, families, and the volunteers themselves.
Friendly Callers have meaningful conversations with adults who are socially isolated or lonely and who share hobbies and interests with you. They make calls from their own home through a Call Hub to respect privacy and confidentiality.
Friendly Visitor Volunteers visit adults (at their home, out for coffee, etc.) who are feeling socially isolated or lonely and brighten their day with their time and meaningful conversation about shared interests, current events, and more.
Administrative Volunteers assist with office work in Samaritan’s headquarters in Mount Laurel, N.J. Some administrative tasks could be typing, filing, collating, data entry, phone calls, and more. Their behind-the-scenes contributions help Samaritan’s many vital services to operate efficiently.
Greeters welcome family members and visitors to The Samaritan Center at Voorhees, the organization’s freestanding inpatient center. These volunteers escort guests as needed to their loved ones, and answer and direct phone calls.
Thrift Store Volunteers help at our Samaritan thrift shop in Westmont, N.J. They assist with typical retail duties such as greeting customers, setting up merchandise displays, completing sales transactions, sorting donations, and maintaining store cleanliness and an inviting environment. Thrift Store Volunteers must have good-customer service and people skills.
SamariTeens are a group of 14–17-year-olds providing ongoing support to Samaritan’s patients and families through a variety of activities like craft nights, game socials at long term care communities, annual and special event support, and more! Opportunities for Independent Projects are also available. Service Hours provided. No mandatory requirements.
Committee Volunteers
Committee Volunteers provide their professional expertise and time to Samaritan’s staff. They may serve on Samaritan’s Board of Trustees, board committees, or advisory committees such as:
African Global Partnership Committee helps Samaritan engage and educate the community about our sister hospice, Kawempe Home Care, in Uganda. The group helps plan events and sell Ugandan-made jewelry (Beads for Education) and more, with all proceeds going to Kawempe Home Care.