A group of six local veterans who work at Osceola Foods completed training this summer to become volunteers with HCI Care Services’ local Veteran-to-Veteran program to better serve veterans at end of life in Clarke and surrounding counties.
Local HCI Hospice Care Services volunteer coordinator Karen Irwin learned of the group at this year’s Clarke County veteran appreciation dinner and approached some of the members to see if any might be interested in joining HCI Hospice Care Services’ Veteran-to-Veteran program.
The veterans are also part of the Hormel Military Veterans Engagement Team (HMVET). HMVET’s mission is to recognize, appreciate and support military members and their families.
“We are excited to partner with Osceola Foods and its HMVET program,” Irwin said. “We feel that the addition of military veterans volunteers from the HMVET program will enable us to expand our Veteran-to-Veteran program and its individualized support for veterans in our care.”
HCI Hospice Care Services’ Veteran-to-Veteran Program pairs veterans who are hospice volunteers with patients who have served our country. Veteran partners provide companionship while talking, reading and sitting with patients. Sometimes veterans feel most comfortable sharing their experiences with fellow veterans. Veterans have a unique skill set which can help patients come to terms with past events and find peace.
HCI Hospice Care Services also honors local veterans for their service through its veteran pinning program as part of its continued effort to ensure veterans receive specialized care at end-of-life.
One Osceola veteran, Paul Wirth, was honored by the local team earlier this summer. Wirth served as a machinist mate second class in the Navy from Dec. 1941-Oct. 1945.
For information about care or volunteer opportunities for veterans, contact HCI Hospice Care Services at 641-342-2888 or visit hcicareservices.org.
About HCI Hospice Care Services
HCI Hospice Care Services is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to providing excellent hospice care to patients and compassionate support for their families since 1978.
The organization serves 41 counties from locally staffed offices caring for individuals in their homes, in assisted living facilities, in nursing care facilities or hospitals.
Around-the-clock care is also available at HCI Hospice Care Services’ residential hospice houses, the Kavanagh Houses in Des Moines, Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston and the Hospice with Heart Hospice House in Glenwood.
HCI Hospice Care Services is a program of HCI Care Services and is also a proud community partner of Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa.
For more information, call HCI Hospice Care Services at 641- or visit www.hcicareservices.org. HCI Care Services is also on Facebook and Twitter.