At the event, Jean Moulthrop Hoogstra, Four Seasons founder and matriarch, was recognized for her 30 years of volunteering. She spoke to the nearly 130 volunteers in attendance about the importance of volunteering and what Four Seasons has meant to her. Staff members surprised her by unveiling a new sign for the agency on South Allen Road: Four Seasons - The Jean Moulthrop Hoogstra Community Campus.
Four Seasons volunteers’ contributions of time and talent have served over 1,100 hospice patients during the past year. In 2009, they donated 29,983 hours for an estimated cost savings of $607,156.
Four Seasons volunteers perform a wide variety of jobs, from sitting at the bedside of a patient to data entry, from working at the Hospice Home Store to sewing hundreds of gowns and pillows. Volunteers work on the Board of Directors, provide landscaping to the Elizabeth House gardens and help with several annual fund-raising events. They stuff envelopes, provide respite to care givers, educate our community about hospice and palliative care, help with our children’s grief camp and work at our inpatient facility, Elizabeth House. Volunteers do not need a medical background - they come from all walks of life.
If you are interested in joining the Four Seasons volunteer team or want to hear about other ways to help, call Donna Nawrocki at 828-692-6178.
