Enrich Your Life
Become a volunteer and provide invaluable support that enhances the comprehensive care delivered by Harbor Hospice.
Become a Volunteer
No matter where you choose to volunteer at Harbor Hospice, there’s a spot for you. Whether you prefer working directly with patients and families or in a different role, you can make a significant impact on someone’s life, including your own.
We offer comprehensive training for all volunteers, along with flexible hours and days. There are even opportunities for remote or home-based assignments.
If you have a unique skill or talent you’d like to share that isn’t listed below, please let us know. Some of our most remarkable volunteer programs have been created thanks to the innovation and talent of our volunteers!
Volunteer roles include:
Office Assistance
Administrative volunteers help in every department at Harbor Hospice. Tasks can include filing, making phone calls, data entry, and special projects. These are just some of the ways volunteers can help within our offices.
Special Events
Help ensure the success of our fundraising and “friendraising” events by welcoming guests, selling raffle tickets, and soliciting auction items or sponsorships. We host three annual events: the Purse Party in May, the Harbor Hospice Regatta at the Muskegon Yacht Club in August, and Horses for Harbor Hospice in September.
Patient Care Support
Volunteers craft various items for patients and their families, including memory bears, memory pillows, lap blankets, prayer shawls, adult bibs, and busy aprons.
Visitor Registration Desk
Volunteers offer a warm and professional welcome to all who enter the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence. They ensure visitors feel comfortable and supported when they arrive, providing assistance and information as needed.
Kitchen Support
Volunteers assist with meal preparation and food service at the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence. (ServSafe certification provided.)
Floral Design
Flowers donated by local florists, including Wasserman’s Flowers and Gifts, are repurposed into vibrant bedside bouquets. These donated flowers are carefully arranged into beautiful bouquets and delivered to patients at the Poppen Residence.
Socialization
Volunteers engage with patients through various activities such as playing games, reading, singing, or simply listening.
Respite
Volunteers provide in-home care for patients, allowing primary caregivers to take a much-needed break. These visits typically occur weekly or biweekly and last between 2 to 4 hours per visit.
Hospets
Specially-trained and certified therapy pets and their owners team up to visit patients and families in our care centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or patients’ homes. These pets can make an instant connection, bring joy and comfort, and open a door for sharing pet stories and memories.
Spiritual Care
These volunteers extend their support and guidance to patients and families of all faiths, ensuring a compassionate and inclusive environment. They offer comfort through prayers, share religious reading materials selected by the patient, and provide a comforting presence.
Vigil
Provides support to patients and their families during the final stages of life. These volunteers offer a comforting presence, often staying with patients so they are not alone in their last moments. They may provide hand and foot massages, read to the patient, play their favorite music, or simply sit quietly by their side.
Interpreter
Volunteers translate between providers, patients, and families to ensure accurate communication.
Courier
Responsible for picking up and delivering supplies and medications to patients, ensuring they have what they need for their care. This role helps alleviate some of the logistical burdens on both the hospice staff and the patients’ families, allowing them to focus more on providing and receiving care.
Cosmetology
Licensed volunteers provide cosmetology services, including hair styling, manicures, and pedicures.
Massage
Certified volunteers provide traditional massage and Comfort Touch. Massage sessions typically last 30-60 minutes or as tolerated; Comfort Touch lasts 15-20 minutes.
Bereavement Phone Calls
Volunteers provide a compassionate, listening presence to patients and clients, and they follow up with families through phone calls at 3-month and 9-month intervals to offer continued support.
Camp Courage
Supporting staff at our annual three-day bereavement camp for children aged 6-14. These specially trained volunteers serve as overnight camp counselors, providing round-the-clock care and supervision. Additionally, craft volunteers engage the children in creative activities, helping them express their emotions and find comfort through art.
Volunteers conduct visits and pinning ceremonies for veteran patients. Veterans often share a unique bond, and visits or recognition from a fellow Veteran can bring honor and comfort. Additionally, we host 4 Vet-to-Vet Cafes annually and participate in various veteran community events.
Training and Requirements
At Harbor Hospice, you’ll receive comprehensive training and ongoing education as a volunteer. To ensure you’re prepared to support our patients and families, you’ll need to meet certain requirements.
Volunteer Impact Stories
Read what our volunteers have to say and discover what inspired them to get involved.
