Treasure Coast Hospice

I became a Treasure Coast Hospice Volunteer 2 years ago because my wife is a nurse at hospice. We were talking and she told me that she thought I would be a good volunteer. I took the training and became a Patient Visitor. I visit patients in Saint Lucie County and at the Saint Lucie Hospice. I feel this way, “holding someone’s hand is the least little thing you can do for someone who is dying.”

In addition to patient visiting, I became involved with the Saint Lucie County Sixth Annual Traditional Tea. This came about while I was speaking with the committee about the food items to be served for the event. I let the committee know that I previously owned a restaurant and was a chef. I was “hired” right on the spot for this event. I worked along with a great group of teen volunteers. We worked side-by-side preparing and serving the guests. These young people are credit to their community and to their families. I am looking forward to serving at the next Traditional Tea.

Gary Whynot

I owed a very special thanks to all the wonderful people who helped my husband and me through a very dreadful time in our lives.  All the caring social worker, nurses, doctors, chaplains, and aids who so willingly helped in any way they could.

The few times my husband had to return to the hospital, the transfer out of Hospice and the return back to Hospice when he returned home, transpired easily.  The wheelchair, oxygen, and the hospital bed were delivered as needed and picked up swiftly, when no longer needed.  I was taught by a Treasure Coast Hospice nurse how to give my husband injections, which was a requisite for bringing him home versus a nursing home.

By volunteering at the Mayes Center for Hope, in the various offices makes me feel that I am giving back a small part of the help that we received.

Vivian Rothaug