Volunteer of the Year
Nicole Bell, LMSW and Caroline Durant, (Hospice of the North Country Volunteer, 27 years)
We're thrilled to announce Caroline Durant, Hospice of the North Country volunteer, was named Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York (HPCANYS) Volunteer of the Year! Caroline’s dedication, compassion, and unwavering support have truly made an immeasurable impact on our community. Join us in congratulating Caroline on her outstanding commitment! “Anyone who has the pleasure of interacting with Caroline knows how kind, caring and genuine of a person she is,” said Natalie Whitehurst, CEO, Hospice of the North Country. “We are so grateful for Caroline’s many years of service and are so proud that she was awarded this from our state association.”
HPCANYS Volunteer of the Year Award
The criteria for The Volunteer of the Year award are:
1. Personifies the importance of volunteerism in the context of hospice and palliative care as viewed by the volunteer coordinator.
2. Demonstrates, to those with whom he/she works, a thorough understanding of the role(s) of the volunteer;
3. Participates with enthusiasm in volunteer training exercises; and
4. Serves as an effective ambassador on behalf of hospice and palliative care.
Volunteer of the Year Award, Submitted by Nicole Bell, LMSW
Bereavement Coordinator/Social Work/Director of Volunteers (Franklin County)
#1 Caroline is such a dedicated volunteer. She has been volunteering with Hospice for 27 years! She volunteers at a couple organizations and is always willing to prioritize Hospice. There have been times she has even prioritized a patient or family over herself. She is highly dedicated to Hospice as a whole. Caroline volunteers in the office and will assist staff with any tasks she can. She is such an asset to our team as she is willing to help anyone with anything she can. She is always cheery and brings a bright smile. Staff look forward to days she is in the office. She is also extremely dedicated to our families. She is willing to help families with any of the needs she is able to. She has never said no she is not able to go to a home for various reasons. She is willing to help with respite, cleaning, socialization, or any other random task. Families that have worked with her always enjoy having her in the home and feel comfort knowing she is there. Caroline works hard to encourage others to volunteer with Hospice. She is always talking about the joy that this work brings her rather than focusing on the dying process. She wants these last moments a family has to be enjoyable- she is willing to help families have peace by offering that respite or socialization. There are some volunteers that are not a fan of cleaning- but Caroline does not mind and is happy to be able to help take some stress off a patient or their family.
#2 Caroline understands her role as a volunteer and is always cautious not to overstep any boundaries. She completely understands what she is able and not able to do. Any time that she has a question she is always comfortable coming to me to ask or get clarification. She really wants to help. There have been times I myself was working on a task and she said “hey let me do that…that is what I am here for.” Her desire to help is truly inspiring to myself and the rest of my coworkers.
#3 Caroline always brings a smile to Hospice! Any family she has ever worked with has enjoyed having her in the home. She is also always a joy to have in the office here at Hospice. There are days that this job has its challenges, and she is always there to offer a kind word and a smile. Caroline also shows up to any volunteer events/lunches etc. that we have. She never questions any documents or assessments that need to be completed. She is willing to go above and beyond and support any event that a volunteer or assistance is needed.
#4 Caroline always talks highly of Hospice and about the work we do. As stated above she is constantly working with us to recruit other volunteers. She has participated in videos and other activities to encourage recruitment. She also talks about volunteering with Hospice at the other organizations she volunteers with.
Besides all those things Caroline is truly an amazing person- which I believe is why she is such an amazing volunteer. She genuinely cares about the staff here at the office and the families she works with. Caroline is the kind of person that brings you joy and makes you want to be a better person. I could only hope every Hospice had a Caroline because she truly is a Hospice hero.