Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton recently held a drive-thru thank-you event as part of National Volunteer Week to acknowledge and thank its volunteers.

More than 60 volunteers drove up to the parking lot at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton to receive a token of appreciation, which included a sweet treat and a bag of potato chips labeled “You’re all that and a bag of chips!”

“We were grateful for the opportunity to honor and recognize our wonderful volunteers and let them know how much we value and miss them,” said Maureen Swarts, manager volunteer services at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. “This event warmed all of our hearts. It not only did something great for the volunteers, but it also raised the spirits of our volunteer coordinators. This was much needed for all!”

The volunteers told Swarts and her team that they could not wait to get back to their volunteer activities. For some of them, that was the first time they had left their homes. Because of COVID-19, most volunteer roles at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton have been suspended. However, some of the volunteers have been able to serve in other ways while social distancing.

Some volunteers are now drivers who deliver medical supplies and prescriptions to patients. Other volunteers are sewing face mask covers from home; while others are coordinating outreach calls for bereaved family members. In addition, volunteers have continued to make comfort items for patients and families, such as blankets, neck pillows and memory bears.

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The idea for the drive-thru thank-you event came from Tami Clark, volunteer coordinator at Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice in Springfield, a service of Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton.

In past years, Clark recognized her volunteers by leaving a sweet treat outside of her office. Because of COVID-19, Clark was not able to do that. So, she offered a drive-thru thank-you event for volunteers to drive to and get a sweet treat.

Clark shared her idea with Swarts, who agreed that it was a great opportunity to recognize the volunteers. She joined Clark at the Springfield drive-thru thank-you event. “I was able to attend one of the drive-thru thank-you event days at Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice,” Swarts said. “I knew that we had to do this at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton.”

The event also was held at Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County, an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice. “This event put a huge smile on the faces of both the volunteers and the coordinators,” Swarts said. “We’re thrilled that we were able to recognize our volunteers at Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice, Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton and Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County through the drive-thru thank-you event.”

Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice, is a not-for-profit hospice provider. Since 1978, it has served patients and families in the Dayton region in their homes, extended care and assisted living facilities, and the Hospice House location in Dayton. Grief support services are available to the entire community through the Pathways of Hope Grief Counseling Center. Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton serves more than 1,000 patients and families daily, achieving national recognition for innovative services and outstanding care.