Submitted by Lynne Keeley, Lopez Island Hospice & Home Support

Because of the summer months, Lopez Island Hospice & Home Support is running short of volunteers to help care for our neighbors in need. Our Case Manager Mary O’Bryant is doing her best to fill in where she can, but it’s been a real challenge with so many volunteers on vacation, retiring, or otherwise unavailable.

But there is good news. Lopez Island Hospice & Home Support is holding Volunteer Training Sessions starting Oct. 5, and we should be up to speed by the end of the month.

Please consider becoming a hospice and home support volunteer. You will find that giving a few hours of your time to offer comfort and support to fellow islanders who are dealing with illness, injury, and/or loss is incredibly rewarding.

Volunteers might read to a patient, play games, run errands, help with meals, or simply listen and provide companionship. Often, respite time for primary caregivers is an invaluable gift you can give. As a volunteer, you will be able to decide how, when, and with whom you want to share your time. Your work will be supported and supervised by our staff and other volunteers.

If you think you might be interested but have some questions about your skills, schedule or anything else, contact the office at 360-468-4446 or admin@lihhs.org. Or feel free to call Mary O’Bryant, our case manager, at 360-317-5449.

If you are in need of our services, don’t hesitate to call. We will do our best to help. And our durable medical equipment shed is full; remember if you need crutches, a wheelchair, or other pieces of medical equipment, we most likely have it.

Thank you for your understanding and support.