Kids Touched by Suncoast Hospice Give Back

Ashley (left) and Nicholas display their fundraising project

Ashley Boubede and Nicholas Steffen have young and caring hearts, helping to support Suncoast Hospice. The two fifth graders recently made a $320 donation to our organization, in honor of our care of their family members.

They raised the funds putting on an auction for their annual service learning project in their gifted program. Both received outstanding grades for their work, and found it wonderful to give back to an organization that has been so meaningful in their lives and others.

“This experience was rewarding because I got to help the people who helped my family,” Ashley said.

Nicholas also felt great about supporting our care. “It was amazing to do this because I know it will help the patients they serve,” Nicholas said. 

Have you been touched by Suncoast Hospice? Please share your story below.

Volunteers Honored at Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

2013 Volunteers of the Year Terry, Christina & Charla

Congratulations to our award winners who were honored at our annual Suncoast Hospice Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on March 9. They included our three 2013 Suncoast Hospice Volunteers of the Year and a pair of long–serving Suncoast Hospice volunteers (husband and wife) who received our inaugural 2013 Mary J. Labyak Legacy Award.

Our volunteers of the year have provided outstanding service to our patients, families and programs. They are Theresa "Terry" Pellegrino (Patient and Family Support), Christina Solazzo (Outstanding Student) and Charla Fogel (Adult Community Support).

Theresa has assisted in the office and served as a loving companion and support to our patients and families. Christina, a teen volunteer, has helped in the office and a resale shoppe and brought music, companionship and joy to our patients. Charla has provided amazing administrative support in our Center for Learning.

Continuing the Legacy of Volunteer Service

MJL Legacy Award Winners Liz & Jim

MJL Legacy Award

The Mary J. Labyak Legacy Award was established in honor of our late, longtime President and CEO Mary J. Labyak’s passion for the service of volunteers. Mary believed that volunteers are the fundamental core of hospice, bringing a special kind of caring to serve others. 

Jim and Liz Kirkman are the first recipients of the award, in recognition of their extraordinary service going above and beyond to support the Suncoast Hospice mission. They have volunteered with many of our programs in many ways, including support for patients and families, pet therapy, fundraising, board service, community outreach and more.

Do you have a spirit to serve? Learn about our volunteer opportunities. 

Staff Learns About Spiritual Pain & Healing at Retreat

Retreat Participants

Spirituality can be a sacred piece of a person’s life, including as the end of life draws near. Several of our employees of many disciplines came together for a two–day retreat to examine the spiritual pain that some hospice patients and families face. They also explored their own spiritual experiences.

Presenters were Richard Groves, an author and co-founder of the Sacred Art of Living Center, and physicians Marlis Beir and Dean Sharpe, who work to address the spiritual pain and comfort of the patients in their practice. The staff who attended will delve further into their education through a series of small group meetings.

Valuable Learning

Richard Groves Presents

Dwight Douglass, a bereavement counselor, was impacted personally and professionally by the retreat. He felt re–energized with his beliefs and past training and gained some new insights for his bereavement care.

“Richard provided a framework and tools, which are useful in my work with our bereaved. This spiritual support will help us facilitate a safe place for our patients and families to express their sense of spirit and healing on many levels,” Dwight said.

Continued Education

Elle Wolf–Muhleck, a Suncoast Hospice Care Center Mid-Pinellas chaplain, helped organize the program and will lead one of the small groups. She’s glad to expose so many of our staff to this area and connect it to her spiritual care.

“It’s not just a training it’s a personal growth commitment. It validates my core beliefs and healing work and enables me to support others in their healing. I look forward to working with my group to continue the learning and make this come alive,” Elle said.

Are you thinking about a profession in hospice care? Check out our job listings.

Volunteer Gives Companionship & Support to Patients

Mary (left) and Donna play a game of Scrabble.

Donna Hayes loves a great Scrabble match and this afternoon it’s on. Donna, a Suncoast Hospice patient living at Sabal Palms Health Care Center, scores a triple in her game with Mary Foust, who volunteers with Suncoast Hospice. Donna prevails this day: 287 to 243. The two grew up playing games, and have fun playing together during their weekly visits.

“We enjoy each other’s company,” says Mary. Donna adds, “I light up when she comes. I love it when we play this game. I like a challenge. You gotta keep your mind busy.”

A Joyful Service

Mary has volunteered with Suncoast Hospice since 2003. She loves the organization and serving. “We have such a wonderful hospice with caring people. I’m always happiest when I’m doing things for others,” Mary says.

She visits around 12 patients each week at different facilities, including transition companion visits with patients whose deaths are imminent. She’s also involved in community outreach. She enjoys providing comfort and support to her patients in many ways, including writing letters, reading, praying, taking them outside or simply a gentle touch.

“A lot of my patients aren’t alert and we can’t communicate very well. But they like it when I hug or touch them. I do whatever they like,” Mary says.

Do you want to make a difference for others? See our volunteer opportunities.