January Volunteer Spotlight

As a high school student, Esther Wong has a busy schedule filled with classes and homework, but she still makes time to volunteer at Islands Hospice a few times a week. 

“My teacher inspired me to volunteer at Islands Hospice because he told my class about his experience with hospice and how moved he was by the compassionate care his mother received,” she said. “It made me want to be a part of it and make other people happy as well.”

From helping out around the office to visiting patients, Esther enjoys being a part of the Islands Hospice family. She completes administrative tasks like scanning documents and folding letters, but her favorite part about volunteering is the people and the patients.

“I have many special memories from volunteering at Islands, like my first facility visit,” she said. “I was just beyond touched by the patients I visited. They were absolutely delightful and very conversational. Despite everything they were going through, they were very happy.”

Volunteers who offer companionship to patients are critical to fulfilling the Islands Hospice mission. Islands Hospice is grateful to individuals like Esther, who has been volunteering for the past two years, for giving patients and families joy and comfort during the final days, weeks or months of their lives.