In 2018, Mary attended the local Volunteer Fair. As she looked around, checking out the various organizations, she came upon the VNA & Blue Water Hospice table. It was here she met Heidi, the Volunteer Coordinator, and knew this is where she needed to be.

Prior to moving to the Blue Water Area, Mary volunteered at a hospice facility in Livonia. “I enjoyed the work…helping others during this time in their life” she said. She has always felt a calling to volunteer with hospice. While many of her friends think this type of volunteering can be depressing, Mary finds it quite the opposite. Knowing that she is helping fuels her. She has even convinced another friend to join her at the Blue Water Hospice Home. “I tell people it is fun. I’m surrounded by good people and I get to know visitors with long-term patients.”

“Since COVID, my role as greeter has changed. In addition to greeting and signing in visitors, I now take temperatures, ensure the COVID survey is complete, and then I sanitize the area after every interaction. And, if it is their first visit to the Home, I give them a quick tour of where to find the necessities.” Mary also helps with various mailings, sorting, filing, anything that needs to be done. “I find comfort in knowing what I do alleviates the staff from doing it – so their focus can be on the patient.”

Heidi recognized Mary as a Shining Star!

“Mary is a greeter at the Blue Water Hospice Home on Friday afternoons but recently helping on Tuesdays. She enjoys taking extra shifts when needed. Mary arrives early with a smile ready to greet our visitors, families, staff, and volunteers. She also takes great pride in making sure visitors follow the precautions guidelines when entering the Hospice Home. Mary keeps the lobby sanitized throughout her shift. Our volunteer program is blessed to have this shining star throughout the pandemic.”

If you’d like to recognize a staff member, go to https://vnabwh.org/thankyou/.