LIHUE — April was National Volunteer Month and Kauai Hospice paid tribute to one of its special volunteers at its recent Aloha Luncheon recognition event at the Courtyard Marriott. Suzanne Ellis was honored as Kauai Hospice’s Volunteer of the Year.
LIHUE — April was National Volunteer Month and Kauai Hospice paid tribute to one of its special volunteers at its recent Aloha Luncheon recognition event at the Courtyard Marriott.
Suzanne Ellis was honored as Kauai Hospice’s Volunteer of the Year. Her tenure with the organization spans 10 years, providing comfort and support to the dying and their family members.
“Kauai Hospice wanted to acknowledge the genuine love and caring spirit that this volunteer contributes toward fulfilling the mission of the organization,” said Rayne Regush, volunteer coordinator.
As a patient care volunteer, Ellis has been outstanding – her skills embody both compassion and competence, Regush said.
“She is genuinely appreciated for her deep and long-term commitment to hospice care, offering companionship to patients, respite for their caregivers, and emotional/grief support to both.”
“Multiple families have described Suzanne as a godsend, and as someone who goes above and beyond,” Regush said. “Other caregivers said this volunteer was such a blessing.”
Volunteers who give of themselves, like Ellis, are an essential part of the hospice team and positively contribute to the patient’s quality of life, as end of life approaches, Regush said.
The Aloha Luncheon also provided an opportunity for volunteers having served over the last year to be honored. Those who had five, 10- and 15-year anniversaries were celebrated and all volunteers were presented a candle-lantern symbolizing the theme “Love Lights the Way” as a token of appreciation.
