DOLLINGERS WIN VOLUNTEER AWARD

The Hospice program of the Visiting Nurse Association has an outstanding group of people that make up the volunteer component of that program. As part of the annual recognition banquet an outstanding volunteer is chosen. This year the selection went to two people, Joseph and Evelyn Dollinger. They are the only couple that we have as volunteers at this time. The Dollingers received their training in 1993 and have worked as a team. They have served several patients since that time. The Hospice staff truly appreciate their efforts.

The Dollingers now live in Jackson since their retirements. Joe served in the Navy and worked for the Boeing Co. before retirement. During their working years they lived in Seattle, Washington. Their son and his family still live in Seattle. They have been married fifty-four years. They attend church at The Immaculate Conception Church, where Evelyn also does some volunteer work.

In accepting the award Evelyn prepared the following remarks,

"Thank you to Joe for joining me completely in this, our first team effort in volunteering. Working together as part of the Hospice team has brought us closer together, in living and enjoying each day as we should. To my co-volunteers, thank you for joining us in helping others. We know that you are there and that we can depend on your support and help in the future. God bless and thank you."

The VNA Hospice continues to grow; and a valuable part of the service that it offers, is the volunteer, who is a trained team members. They work with the doctors, nurses, medical social worker, therapist, and chaplain, to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual care to the patient and the family. Hospice offers specialized care for the patient who has entered the final phase of life.