"The average cost to train and prepare a volunteer for the hospice program is $600," Sheila Jones, Director of Development for Mountain Valley Hospice said. "We do a criminal background check, drug screening, hepatitis B vaccines, tuberculosis skin tests and provide the volunteers with 15 hours of educational and grief support training before a volunteer is allowed to visit and care for a patient.
"In 2009, volunteers drove 97,000 miles and served 33,461 hours," she said.
Jones said that volunteers are the biggest need that Mountain Valley Hospice needs. They have offices in Elkin, Surry and Yadkin counties and into Virginia. The organization began serving patients and families at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice home in Dobson in 2009. Fourteen additional counties are served by Mountain Valley Hospice.
"We are always in need of volunteers," Jones said. "As some of our volunteers leave as they have needs of their own, those volunteers have to be replaced. The volunteers provide essential care to patients whose family members may not live close by providing assistance with providing a meal every day, or by relieving a 24/7 caregiver for a couple of hours a week.
"Hospice care is provided for under Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance with the medical staff of doctors, nurses and CNA's, but the volunteers contribute an essential need in the care of the patient."
Often volunteers just visit with the patient to have a conversation, share a story, or help the patient with the little things, such as opening envelopes or writing a letter. Other volunteers with hospice never see a patient, but use their talents in the offices of hospice or participate in fundraising efforts.
"One thing about our organization is that we use the volunteer's talents." Jones said. "If someone wants to volunteer, but doesn't feel comfortable with in-home visits, but is willing and capable of helping with office operations or fundraising events, we try to utilize their talents that way. If a person just wants to give us an hour or two a week to help stuff envelopes, we welcome the help."
The "Clutches and Clubs" fundraiser is a golf tournament and a ladies luncheon, as well as a silent and live auction.
The golf tournament is 18 holes, captain's choice with 4 person teams. Tee time is 8:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. The cost to participate in the tournament is $260 for a foursome, $70 for an individual. Mulligans and throws are $5 each. With the entry fee the golfer will receive range balls, the use of a golf-cart, a goodie bag, refreshments during play and lunch as well as a chance for prizes.
The ladies luncheon will take place at noon with the silent auction beginning at 11:45 a.m. The live auction will begin at approximately 12:30 and will be called by Jim Longworth of Triad Today.
Auction items will include the celebrity handbags from celebrities such as Marion Ross, the mom from Happy Days, Sharon Lowrance, NYPD Blue, Melina Kanakaredes, CSI, NY, Melva Houston, Vocalist, Merideth Baxter, Family Ties, Virginia Foxx, N. C. Congresswoman, Nicole Ducouer, WXII 12, Kimberly Van Scoy, WXII 12 and Carmen Brown, 98.7 SIMON, just to name a few. as well as new designer handbags. A private tour of the U. S. Capitol Dome, both inside and out will be auctioned off donated by Congresswoman Virgina Foxx.
Luncheon tickets are $20 and will offer the bearer a grilled chicken breast on a bed of romaine and iceberg lettuce salad with fresh vegetables and a sweet dessert.
Anyone wishing to donate a designer bag of golf bag to be auctioned off should contact Jones also.
"Without the generosity of volunteers and their willingness to serve the community and the families in need," Jones said.
Registration forms and tickets can be obtained at the Mountain Valley Hospice Center, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin or by calling Jones at 789-2922.
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