Southeast Hospice Honors Volunteers

Southeast Hospice honored volunteers, from left: Jean Mueller, Nancy Kester, Rita Aunspach, Tina Bles, Melody Green and Mark Kiblinger at its annual banquet on Nov. 13. Kester and Aunspach received Cherub awards; Mueller and Kiblinger received Guardian Angel awards; and Bles and Green received Gabriel awards.

Southeast Hospice honored its dedicated volunteers at its 19th annual appreciation banquet on Thursday, November 13.

Volunteers Nancy Kester of Cape Girardeau and Rita Aunspach of Perryville, Mo., received Cherub awards. Guardian Angel awards were presented to Mark Kiblinger of Cape Girardeau and Jean Mueller of Frohna, Mo. Melody Green of Burfordville, Mo., and Tina Bles of Cape Girardeau received Gabriel awards.

The Gabriel Award is the highest award and recognizes volunteers who have shown dedication to patients and families in a variety of ways, both directly and indirectly.

The Guardian Angel Award is given to Hospice volunteers who express dedication to patients and families.

The Cherub Award recognizes volunteers who offer support to Hospice, primarily in the areas of fundraising, office support and public relations.

Volunteers at the banquet, which was held in Southeast Hospital's Harrison Room, were honored for their service to the not-for-profit agency.

Dixie Hopkins was honored for 25 years of service. Dorothy Dees was recognized for 20 years of service.

Volunteers recognized for 150 hours or more of service this year included: Ann Amelunke, Tina Bles, Marla Cypert, Dorothy Dees, Melody Green, Betty Hardy, Linnie Harris, Helen Hunt, Phyllis Lee, Sue Martin, Jean Mueller, Carolyn Pickens, Amber Pierce, Glenda Quinn and Geneva Ruesler

In all, Southeast Hospice volunteers donated 10,797 hours of service and logged more than 14,000 miles over the past year to perform their charitable work, says Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Pearla Smith.

McCombs Funeral Home & Cremation Center annually sponsors the banquet. Bruce Dockins of McCombs led the effort 19 years ago to recognize the contributions of Southeast Hospice volunteers, Smith says.