Alex, Bolton
Alex has been volunteering with CVHHH’s hospice program, providing companionship to community members in their home or a facility, since 2025.
Why did you choose to volunteer with CVHHH?
I wanted to get into volunteer work because of my Grandma Coffee. She was like a second mom to me, and when she was diagnosed with lung cancer I was not able to be there for her as much as I should have. I was looking over volunteer opportunities when I moved up to Vermont and when I saw CVHHH and how not only was it volunteer work in hospice, but also a non-profit, I applied right away. I want to be able to provide people the comfort that I wish I could have given my grandma.
What has surprised you about volunteering with hospice?
What surprised me the most about volunteering in hospice is not only how comfortable patients are with volunteers coming into their homes, but also how much support we get from CVHHH as volunteers. Working with Shannon [CVHHH’s Hospice Volunteer Coordinator] has been absolutely fantastic. If I ever have any questions or need support, she’s always quick to respond.
What qualities should a hospice volunteer have?
I think you should be someone who is selfless, caring, compassionate, and humble. The people we take care of are important. When we are with them, we need to leave our troubles at the door, and just let them know there is someone there that cares about them and enjoys spending time with them. There was a bad day where I just wanted to go to bed and get to tomorrow as quickly as possible, but when I got to my patient I set it all aside, put a smile on my face, and just focused on making sure they were comfortable and happy. I’ll be honest, spending time just sitting there and painting while we watched old westerns made that bad day into a very happy one for me.
Why do people choose to receive care at home?
I think people choose to receive care at home because – and not to sound cheesy – home is where the heart is. Home is where they are comfortable, where they can sleep in their own bed, and be with their loved ones and pets. When I imagine my time coming to an end, picturing it at my home surrounded by the people I love gives me the most comfort.
