Many of them say it's a calling from God, a ministry. They visit the sick. They listen. They care. They comfort the dying. When there's a need, they are willing to work long hours for people they only recently met. They are there during times of extreme stress, and they provide emotional support. They deal with illness and death on a daily basis.

Patient Care Coordinator Elaine Brown calls them "the heart of hospice." They do a lot, care a lot, love a lot. And, they are paid no money. They are volunteers with Hospice of the Regional Medical Center.

Hospice of the Regional Medical Center recently honored its active volunteers with an appreciation luncheon to thank them for all they've done for hospice patients and families over the past year.

Hospice of the RMC is a nonprofit hospice, and its volunteers are an integral part of the care it provides.

"We have a wonderful group of volunteers," Brown said.

Hospice Executive Director Ann Marie Poon added, "The RMC Hospice volunteers are a blessing from God. They generously give of their time to our most vulnerable members of our community."

Fourteen hospice volunteers attended the 2008 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Henry Miller of the Regional Medical Center provided the food, and Ronda Smith provided entertainment for the event. Smith is the founder and principal of Livingston Christian Academy in North. In addition to being an accomplished musician and singer, she is also involved in prison ministry, is a church lay speaker and helps with Hospice of the RMC. She recently recorded a CD titled "My Tribute."

Like all hospices, Hospice of the RMC focuses on comfort care, not curative measures. Hospice takes a holistic approach to patient care, realizing that a person with limited life expectancy has spiritual and emotional needs as well as physical needs. So in addition to nursing care, Hospice provides the services of social workers, chaplains, home health aides and volunteers.

Hospice volunteers visit patients, provide a shoulder to cry on, bake occasional treats for patients, read to patients or sit with patients so caregivers can get a break. They provide an extra layer of support and help not provided by nurses, social workers and chaplains.

In addition to providing emotional support for patients and their families, Hospice of the RMC volunteers also help with fund-raising for the nonprofit hospice. Last year, hospice volunteers created a cookbook to raise money for the agency. The cookbooks have sold well and are still available at the gift shop at the RMC, Grove Park Pharmacy, the Prescription Shoppe, Lynnell's Bedding and More, Stroman Appliances, Devin's Flowers, Stephanie's Hair Salon, Ann's House of Treasures and other Orangeburg outlets as well as Hap's in Elloree, Bowman Pharmacy and West Nest in Bowman, Bedspreads and More and Gayle Peagler's Beauty Shop in St. George, Edisto Gas in Holly Hill, Farmers & Merchants Bank and Branchville Pharmacy in Branchville, the Garden Gate Florist in Cordova, Tagadoo's in Bamberg, Town & Country Restaurant in St. George and Farmer's & Merchants Bank in Cameron.

For more information on becoming a Hospice of the RMC volunteer, either visiting patients or helping in the office, call John Ott at 803-395-2606. Volunteers are especially needed in the Eutawville/Holly Hill area.

John Ott is volunteer coordinator for Hospice of the Regional Medical Center.

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