How You Can Help

Volunteer Opportunities

As a volunteer, there are numerous ways to help Hospice of the Carolina Foothills carry out its mission, and all ways are vital. We need folks who can hold a hand, comfort a loss, use a computer, greet visitors at the Hospice House, deliver supplies, bake cookies, sort and clean donations, attend health fairs, and so much more. One of our greatest ongoing needs is for patient companion volunteers, especially in our South Carolina service area in Spartanburg and Greenville County communities.

The work of a HoCF volunteer is amazingly rewarding; and it is common to hear volunteers say over and over, "You get back so much more than you give."

We hope you will find a way to use your interests and talents to volunteer with us, joining the nearly 200 people in Polk County, NC, and Spartanburg & Greenville Counties, SC, who already give of themselves to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and friends.

Patient and Family Support
Patient Companion Volunteers are a vital part of our hospice team. They work in private homes, nursing homes, assisted living and retirement communities, and the Hospice House to provide companionship for patients and to give caregivers a break. These volunteers sit with patients, listen to their stories, read, play music, help with hobbies, and hold a hand. Their visits often give family members a much-needed break. Sometimes they help with pets, do light yard work or gardening, or run errands.

Eleventh Hour Volunteers
A particular role that some patient companions fulfill is to simply “stand by” during the final 24 to 48 hours of a patient's life. Eleventh Hour Volunteers sit at the bedside, providing a peaceful presence and bringing comfort to the family.

Caring Canines
Pet therapy is a popular way to visit with patients in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Trained and certified dogs, and their owners, bring a lot of joy to patients who love—and sometimes miss—their special four-legged friends.

Bereavement Support
These volunteers keep in touch with those who are grieving by calling, writing, and visiting in person. Bereavement Volunteers also assist at support groups and bereavement seminars.

Good Samaritans
Good Samaritans serve as liaisons between their churches and HoCF to ensure that the needs of the church family and community will be conveyed to us, and to keep the church community aware of opportunities we have for education, support and service.

Office Support
These helping hands do computer work, filing, assist in Medical Records, assist with mailings, and help with the many and varied support functions at both the SC Homecare Office and Hospice House in Landrum and the NC Homecare Office in Columbus.

Hospice Thrift Barn
Many volunteers are needed each day Monday through Saturday to help with a myriad of jobs associated with a thrift store. Donation room jobs include: receiving, sorting, cleaning, and pricing donations that are received daily. On the sales floor, jobs include greeting customers, answering the telephone, running the cash register, bagging, selling, and keeping the floor stocked and in good order. Shifts are typically 4 hours in length, but any amount of time is welcome. The work is a lot of fun and raises much-needed funds to fulfill the mission of Hospice of the Carolina Foothills for patients and families.

Special Events
Health fairs, brochure and newsletter delivery, volunteer trainings, community parades and our Annual Tree of Life are some of the times special events volunteers pitch in to give much-needed assistance and expertise.

Hospitality Committee
This group bakes, decorates, and sometimes serves at community events sponsored by Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Feet on the Street
This group of community volunteers keeps HoCF literature and information visible and available in various venues in Polk, Spartanburg, and Greenville County towns and communities.

How Do I Get Started?
If you're interested in volunteering or would like more information, contact Jean Pearson at 828.894.7000 and jpearson@hocf.org; or Jennifer Thompson at, 864.457.9125 and jthompson@hocf.org.

[ Click here to see what volunteers have to say about their experiences with hospice. ]