SIUE Hospice Volunteer Initiative Donates to Hospice of Southern Illinois
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Hospice Volunteer Initiative donated more than $1,500 to Hospice of Southern Illinois on March 11. Last fall, the “Hands for Hospice 5K Race” was held on the SIUE campus to raise money to further enrich Hospice’s volunteer program and to educate the community on their health care services.
“The Hospice Volunteer Initiative’s 5K Race and community event had a goal of informing SIUE students and the surrounding community about Hospice of Southern Illinois,” said Lauren Kormelink, a third-year pharmacy student and organizer of the SIUE Hospice Volunteer Initiative. “We were able to get younger individuals involved with Hospice to carry out their important mission, and were able to raise money to improve the care afforded to patients and their families.”
In November 2012, the SIUE School of Pharmacy Class of 2015 and faculty leaders partnered with Hospice of Southern Illinois to host one of the largest Hospice volunteer training events on record. Since that date, the SIUE Hospice Volunteer Initiative and Hospice of Southern Illinois have partnered on numerous volunteer events and plan to continue their combined efforts.
“Hospice of Southern Illinois is extremely grateful to the SIUE Hospice Volunteer Initiative for their generous donation,” said Jami Mattison, human resources director of Hospice of Southern Illinois. “Because we are a not-for-profit organization that does not deny care to anyone regardless of their ability to pay, donations that we receive help us to continue our mission of enhancing the quality of life for those touched by a terminal illness.”
The SIUE Hospice Volunteer Initiative has not only helped Hospice of Southern Illinois make significant progress in regards to volunteerism, they have made a lasting impact.
“Our partnership with the SIUE Hospice Volunteer Initiative is an educational and awareness opportunity for everyone involved,” said Shelly Black, volunteer services coordinator for Hospice of Southern Illinois. “It’s important to have younger adults involved so that they can carry on the message of Hospice. They are able to help promote the services that we provide throughout the community, and we all enjoy the energy of the students.”
Photo (L-R): SIUE School of Pharmacy students Lauren Kormelink, James Langley and Nathan Lindley; Shelly Black and Jami Mattison of Hospice of Southern Illinois; and Dr. Chris Herndon, SIUE associate professor of pharmacy.
