Georgia Mountains Hospice honors their volunteers during National VolunteerWeek

April 15-21, 2007 is National Volunteer Week and organizations across the country are celebrating the contributions of dedicated volunteers who embody caring and help make life better for others. Georgia Mountains Hospice is honoring hospice volunteers, who bring compassion and support to the lives of those facing a life-limiting illness.

Hospice volunteers are integral members of the dedicated teams of professionals who provide hospice and palliative care across our nation. GMH Volunteers bring companionship to people in the final months and weeks of life, respite to families and caregivers, and support in fundraising and administrative efforts by hospice organizations. Many people become hospice volunteers after experiencing firsthand the compassionate care hospice provided to a dying loved one.

According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, approximately 400,000 people actively volunteer in the nation's 4,100 hospice organizations annually, providing more than 16 million hours of service annually.

This year, the Medicare Hospice Benefit is celebrating its 25th anniversary. More than 10 million Medicare beneficiaries have received compassionate, quality care at the end of life as a result of this valuable legislation.

"Hospice volunteers play an indispensable role in enabling Georgia Mountains Hospice to offer the best care possible for patients living with life-limiting illness, their families and caregivers. By sharing their time, energy, and expertise, our volunteers bring compassion and caring to the lives of those in need," commented Marie Lindsey, LMSW, GMH Executive Director. "We are grateful to our volunteers during National Volunteer

Week and every week, and pleased that this celebration of volunteering allows us to remind everyone that hospice and palliative care is about how you live."

Georgia Mountains Hospice will be hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on April 18, 2007, at noon in the GMH office in Jasper, GA. This luncheon will recognize the special contributions of hospice volunteers and publicly thank those who give so much to others throughout the year.

To learn more about the special luncheon or to become a hospice volunteer, please contact Gina Pendley at 706-253- 4100 or 800-692-7199.