Unity Hospice®

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Volunteers change our lives one gift at a time...


I was a "thousand points of light" long before volunteerism lighted up the sky and had an official name. I had my lights short-circuited, burned at both ends and occasionally punched out. I hang in there because generally volunteerism is a dazzling galaxy of gems that streak across the sky and illuminate the world when it falters and cannot find its way.

I was thinking the other day that Americans are intrigued by royalty. Americans have never felt the need for a hierarchy who live in castles and get paid for waving and going to funerals, but I would like to propose a royal family for this country who would have no political power but would symbolize what we are all about and set the tone for our nation. . .the Royal Family of Volunteers.
You cannot be born to this royal family. You must earn your way through the ranks. Congress will not appropriate a salary for your efforts. You won't even have your own principality, especially if you volunteer your medical services to travel down the Amazon River on your vacation to tend to the needs of children in Brazil.

The perks of royalty, which usually add up to yachts, box seats, parades and state dinners, may translate to long hours, tired sandwiches, costs, rejection, cold coffee, and screaming kids. Royalty as a rule is recognizable. The Royal Family of Volunteers are nameless, faceless and forgettable. They are often taken for granted, and only a fraction of them are recognized for their talents.  So how do you know you're royalty. Ah. . .it's the crown jewels that give you away-that sparkling tiara of smiles you have given and tears you have shared, and the rich legacy of caring.


Unity Hospice® depends on the generosity of community members who share their time, talents and treasures to help us carry out our very important mission. 

Volunteers—men, women, teens and children—are an integral part of the Unity team and support our program in a number of ways that include daytime, evening and weekend opportunities.

The volunteer opportunities with Unity Hospice® are endless and only limited by our imaginations.  Unity volunteers also contribute to the lists below by generating new and creative ways to use the talents of others.

People-oriented opportunities—Provide companion sitting and reminiscing with patients, prepare light meals or offer light housekeeping assistance, provide transportation or delivery of supplies, assist patients with bath cares, support families in their grief, provide spiritual or phone support to families, or assist in scheduling volunteer help.

Office-oriented opportunities—Data entry, filing, answer phones, greet visitors, assist with scheduling or mailings, organize supplies, share computer knowledge.

Creative opportunities—Assist with special events including Memorial Services, share your talent in any of the expressive arts, assist with fundraising or marketing, and join our Speaker's Bureau.

Visit Unity's volunteer page often to see some of the latest and greatest ways that Unity Hospice® volunteers are making a difference.

If you are interested in completing an application or learning more about volunteering with Unity Hospice®, complete the form below or contact the office in your area.



One Volunteer's Story ...

A Helping Hand - Carmen Merkel

ABOUT CARMEN

Born May 10, 1924.

Resides in St. John Township.

Has a daughter, Cynthia (Ralph) Torres; two grandsons: Ralph Jr. and Richard; and two great-grandchildren: Rachael and Alexander J.

Attended business school and Calumet College of St. Joseph.

Previously owned and operated Lake Auto in East Chicago.

Member of St. Michael Church in Schererville.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Carmen Merkel recently completed volunteer training at Unity Hospice of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville. The extensive 16-hour training program teaches participants about the hospice concept. It also shows the roles of the volunteer - helping a patient or caregiver run errands, provide transportation to doctor appointments or help around the house. Volunteers sit with patients, read or play games and provide a respite for the caregiver. "I thought the training program was very good, very thorough," she said. "They explained to us what hospice is, about patient rights, state laws and what the goals are - to keep the patient comfortable and help the family. It's quite a bit of training." Merkel devotes one day a week working three to four hours in the hospice office doing clerical work. She has previous experience with hospice and working with patients. "I got involved with hospice because I like to help people," she said. "At Unity you're part of a team. We give care

and comfort to the patient and support to the family during life-limiting or terminal illness. It's a very worthy cause and I think it's very rewarding." Merkel has volunteered for The Lupus Foundation and is a member of The Fantasy Red Hat Group. She enjoys oil and watercolor painting and crocheting. She received a second-place ribbon in the crochet category at Lake County Fair two years ago and this past Christmas gave away 35 crocheted scarves as gifts.

WHAT IS MOST REWARDING ABOUT VOLUNTEERING: "For me it gives me a good feeling because I'm helping people, the nurses and the person doing the patient call. I feel I'm part of the background crew to make their job easier."

PERSONAL HEROES: "My parents because they had the courage and strength to come to this country from Mexico not knowing one word of English and raised their family. They were very proud people."

FAVORITE BOOK: "I'm a big reader. Lately the book I enjoyed was ‘In God We Trust' by Jean Shepherd. He was raised in the Hammond area and his book is humorous and you can relate to his stories."

ADVICE: "The more you give the more you get back. It makes you feel better because you've helped somebody. It's good emotionally and spiritually."


Volunteer Chicagoland

Volunteer Greater St Louis

Volunteer Northwest Indiana

Volunteer Western Illinois