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Introducing the Nominees for the Phyllis Skey Heart of Agape Care Volunteer Award
This year, National Volunteer Week is April 18-24, and Agape Care is proud to use this time to recognize the amazing volunteers that help us provide the best possible patient and family experience.
Volunteers have long been an essential part of the health care industry, and each year, 400,000 trained volunteers provide more than 19 million hours of service in hospice care. From visiting patients and families to helping behind the scenes, there are so many different roles they play while serving with love.
We truly believe we have the best of the best serving with us at Agape Care, and to celebrate their contributions, we’ll be announcing the recipient of the Phyllis Skey Heart of Agape Care Volunteer Award. This annual award is given to a volunteer who not only upholds our company’s mission, vision, and values but also embodies the heart of hospice. The award is named in honor of Phyllis Skey — known as “Mrs. Phyllis” — who volunteered with our hospice patients in facilities, assisted with crafts, painted resident’s nails, called bingo, and so much more. Mrs. Phyllis passed away on Monday, August 24, 2020, leaving a legacy of love and kindness, and we’re honored to recognize a volunteer in her memory.
This year, there are 12 incredible nominees for the Phyllis Skey Heart of Agape Care Volunteer Award, and we’d love to share a little more about what they do.
John C. “JC” Alexander
JC is a volunteer greeter at our Upstate Community Hospice House, where he helps ensure families feel welcome and have a comforting experience while visiting their loved ones. His kindness, compassion, and seemingly bottomless reservoir of patience have made a life-changing impact not only on families but on our staff as well. JC truly embodies the Agape Care value of being “With you” by helping families navigate the hospice house experience.
J Q Armstrong
J has been an Agape Care volunteer since 2018 and volunteers through our Greenville branch. His servant’s heart and commitment to helping others have made a measurable impact during his time with Agape Care. J is extremely caring of patients and staff, and he is always willing to provide support and companionship for our patients.
Loretta Baker Yates
Loretta volunteers with Agape Care through our Sumter branch, showing compassion and understanding for everyone she comes in contact with. Her heart is tremendous, and “no” is not in her vocabulary — she willingly helps with any task, whether it be visiting with patients, calling patients for tuck-in calls, or answering phones in the office. During her time volunteering with us, Loretta has always gone above and beyond to help others.
Barbara Broumberg
Barbara is a volunteer at the Upstate Community Hospice House and has been a part of our team for six years. She is always willing to use her resources and talents to provide comfort and love to our patients and their families. As a volunteer, Barbara has done everything from preparing meals for patients to working in the gardens surrounding the hospice house to providing comfort to loved ones in the family room. She is also an established jewelry designer and has even used those skills to create jewelry with our hospice house patients.
Nell Jones
Nell volunteers with us through our Rock Hill branch and makes tuck-in calls every single week of the year. A wonderful listener, she always takes her time and listens to the concerns of a patient or family member. Nell is patient, humble, and driven by her passion for meeting the needs of our patients and their families.
Jim & Linda Karcanes
For the past four years, Jim and Linda have volunteered at our Upstate Community Hospice House. Jim works closely with patients and families, connecting on a deep, personal level. Linda provides administrative assistance at the hospice house, and her warmth, smile, and loving heart are always at the forefront of her projects. The Karcanes are committed to helping families find dignity and peace in an otherwise trying and stressful time in their lives.
Frances Moore
Frances is a volunteer at our Upstate Community Hospice House and has been volunteering with our company for 20 years. At the Upstate Community Hospice House, she regularly greets guests with a smile and a little help from her chihuahua, Jack. Frances is well-known in the local area for her generosity, kindness, and contagious laugh, and she is passionate about helping others.
Ken Page
Ken volunteers as a greeter at our Upstate Community Hospice House and is also a direct care volunteer visiting patients in the Spartanburg community. He is warm and open to all, and helps patients, families, and guests feel like they are not alone. As a veteran, Ken often takes veteran patient assignments and does everything he can to create meaningful experiences for all patients. It’s clear that he’s never met a stranger.
Dianna Park
Dianna volunteers for Agape Care through our Rock Hill location. She makes cards with loving handwritten notes for patients, and her creativity is second to none. Dianna’s compassion shows in her words, and our patients can feel the love and care that has been sent to them via mail. She tirelessly gives her time and talents, and she has been able to uplift patients and families across the state.
Eris Taylor
Eris is a volunteer through our Spartanburg branch, and she exemplifies Agape Care’s values whether she’s in the office or out in the field. A college student at USC-Upstate, Eris is creative, reliable, and committed to ensuring each task is complete. She has always gone above and beyond to ensure Agape’s patients and staff are supported.
Ruth Williams
Ruth volunteers with Agape Care through our Sumter branch, and she is always there to serve our patients with love — day and night, sunshine and rain. Ruth loves helping people and is passionate about volunteering in hospice care. When she walks into a patient’s room, she smiles and brings them so much love and compassion.
We’re honored to have such a caring, compassionate team of volunteers with us at Agape Care. Visit our Volunteering & Foundation page to learn more about volunteering with us.
If you would like to see who is the winner of our Phyllis Skey Heart of Agape Care Volunteer Award, follow us on Facebook where it will be announced soon.