How Volunteers Make Gifts of a Day Possible
The Crossroads Hospice Gift of a Day program gives terminally-ill patients the chance for one perfect day. Each day is as unique as each patient. We've helped them have one last fishing trip, marry a long-time partner and meet their favorite celebrities.
Tracy Bunch is one of our Gift of a Day Coordinators tasked with making these special days come to life.
"We do what we can to make it special for them," she says. "But we couldn't do it without the generosity of people in our community."
During Volunteer Month we're celebrating the volunteers who spend time with our patients and the people in our communities who pitch in to make dreams come true for our patients.
"In today's world, everyone is busy," explains Bunch. "Time is worth more than money, and we're incredibly grateful to anyone who takes the time to make our patients feel special."
Gardening Gift of a Day
Sometimes shared interests come together in a magical way. That was the case with a patient who had faithfully tended her garden for many years. When she became ill, she could no longer care for her yard.
Enter a team of green-thumbed volunteers.
"Leeta, Ricky and Frank landscaped heopr front yard. They even brought plants from their own yards. The patient ended up passing away that night. Her family told us that knowing her yard looked beautiful meant everything to her," Bunch shares.
"It's those shared passions that make it extra special. Their love of something and the patient's love come together into a beautiful thing."
Ramp to Joy
Skilled members of our community also share their talents to grant Gift of a Day wishes. Last year, one of our patients wanted just one thing: more time outside with his grandchildren.
Getting him out the door in a wheelchair was so difficult and cumbersome for his family that it would only happen when absolutely necessary.
Skilled carpenters Derrell Ahrens and Paul Vallincourt donated their time and the materials to make a ramp so the patient could spend time in the backyard where his grandchildren played.
The generosity of Ahrens and Vallincourt was just part of a long string of good works. In 2011, Ahrens traveled to Joplin, MO to rebuild homes destroyed in the tornado. "His focus was on the older people and poorer people who couldn't help themselves. They are just generous souls," says Bunch.
A Gift of a Day with Force
For some of our younger patients, a surprise visit from some of their heroes makes their Gift of a Day magical. The 501st Legion pairs Star Wars costume enthusiasts with opportunities to use their passion to bring joy to their communities. In the Kansas City area, their division is called the 70th Explorers Garrison.
"They put a lot of hard work into creating these costumes and then they go out and ‘troop’ for special events out of the goodness of their hearts," says Gift of a Day Coordinator Toi Hunt-Beechner.
To learn more about Gift of Day volunteer opportunities with Crossroads Hospice, please complete our volunteer application or call us at 1-888-563-3405.
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