Getting Involved
We welcome community involvement in Hospice Volunteer Services' mission. There are many volunteer opportunities with a wide range of time commitments. HVS has a very small staff with a huge mission in Addison County. We rely on the generosity of many volunteers and invite you to join our volunteer team.
Our main focus is patient care, bereavement support, and public education; but there is so much more in other essential areas that do not require specialized training to get started. Office and fund raising volunteers free our staff to devote precious time to other programs and services. We are grateful to all our volunteers.
Patient Volunteers
Hospice Patient Volunteer – A 30-hour training program is required to volunteer with patients and their families. Contact Us about dates and times of the next training class, or if you have taken an equivalent course elsewhere, you may be able to transfer 
prior training to our program.
Bereavement Volunteer - Training sessions are necessary for bereavement volunteers.
Wellspring Volunteer - Vocalists are invited and welcome to join Wellspring, our volunteer singing group which provides music to terminally ill patients in their homes, hospital settings, or care homes. There is a ‘mini’ training requirement for singers to introduce the hospice philosophy and sensitivity awareness when singing for terminally ill patients. Contact Us for more information about this volunteer opportunity and to set up a brief interview.
Donate
Donate books, films, DVDs or CDs to our Lending Library - We have a wonderful free community resource in our lending library. We are continually looking to expand this resource and offer you the opportunity to donate your gently used books, 
audio or video media on the subject of hospice, bereavement, grief, death and dying, for use by children, teens, families, elders or co-workers. Contact Us for arranging donations to our lending library.
Donate funds – There is never a fee for any of our hospice services, public education events, or speakers sponsored by HVS. We rely on the support and generosity of donors to carry out our mission to this vulnerable population in our community. A gift of cash is just as necessary and appreciated as a gift of volunteering. You can make a donation now if you wish.
Sweet Charity – There is a unique opportunity to volunteer at Sweet Charity, an interesting resale shop located in Vergennes, Vermont. Sweet Charity is affiliated with Hospice Volunteer Services and Women of Wisdom and proceeds from sales go directly to help fund 
HVS general operating expenses and Women of Wisdom designated charities. You can be involved by donating household items if you are moving, downsizing, cleaning out, or just have too much stuff. You can also volunteer in the store as cleaners, organizers, decorators, or cashiers. This could be your niche. To volunteer in the thrift store, contact Sweet Charity directly or use our Contact Us form.
Fundraising Volunteers
Annual Arts Auction – HVS relies heavily on fund raising. Each year since 1985, we have held an arts auction to raise much needed revenue to carry out our mission. There are tremendous volunteer opportunities surrounding the arts auction, 
from office work, data entry and mailings, to setting up displays, food prep, flower arrangements, working admissions and closing, and numerous other tasks. Artists are given the opportunity to donate their work in support of our hospice and bereavement programs, and do so on a grand scale. We could not do it without each of them, and all the other friends of HVS who help out. Contact Us if you wish to donate your artwork or special items or be a part of the crucial behind-the-scenes volunteer force.
Annual “Get-a-Way” Raffle – HVS has begun a springtime raffle as another fund raising opportunity. In the past it was billed as a Cruise Raffle, but we are moving toward a more generic travel raffle where the winner can work with the travel 
agency to go by land, sea or air to their dream destination. The drawing, held in March, is a perfect way to escape the doldrums of the frigid winter. We need volunteers within the community to sell tickets, purchase tickets and to help set up the fabulous buffet reception and raffle drawing party. We hope this gala volunteer opportunity will become another staple in our necessary fund raising process and that you might be a part of it with us. Contact Us if you are interested in volunteering for this event.
Office Volunteers
Office Volunteer – HVS has a wide array of office opportunities for volunteers, from writing personal thank you notes to donors, to filing and data management, to cleaning and maintenance projects. We produce community newsletters three times yearly in addition to bulk mail projects for many public education events. We are always in need of 
volunteers to help produce, fold and collate, stuff and sort mail pieces. Our mailing parties are legendary fun and we always welcome another pair of hands. Contact Us for more information on current or future projects where volunteers are needed.
Cleaners and Dusters – The HVS offices are a warm and inviting space for all, with a board room, cozy sitting area, kitchenette, and public library. We are grateful to volunteer cleaners and dusters who help us maintain a welcoming space for our bereaved clients and community members. This opportunity is perfect for someone who wants to be involved in very light housekeeping duties surrounded by good friends, music, and deep appreciation. Contact Us if you would like to join our team in this area.
Gardening - HVS has a lovely memorial garden just outside the front entrance, with a winding garden path, fountain and places to sit. The goal is to create a space of beauty, solace and comfort with free access for all. The design for this project is complete, 
but we need gardening volunteers to carry out and implement the design under the direction of our office manager / in-house gardener. Contact Us if you wish to donate plantings, to see what is on the wish list, or by mulching and weeding.
There may be many other ways to be involved with Hospice Volunteer Services, all of them a rewarding opportunity.