Congratulations to Volunteer Rock Star, Sonja Foldvari!
 
Sonja Foldvari has been serving Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. in Madison, as a dedicated patient care volunteer for almost three years. By putting in three to five hours a week, Sonja has racked up an impressive 400 hours! She spends much of her time at Agrace visiting patients weekly, and has picked up the additional duty of serving as a vigil volunteer as well. "Sonja recently attended a vigil volunteer gathering where volunteers could share stories and talk through difficult experiences. She found this extremely beneficial and said it gave her new insight. As a vigil volunteer, Sonja has worked with several Agrace volunteer coordinators. Those that have worked with her unanimously agree Sonja to be one of the most reliable volunteers. She demonstrates commitment to Agrace's mission and to her patients and their families."

Sonja is willing to help anyone in any way she can, but she still makes time for her regular visits. Emily Corron, Volunteer Coordinator, explains, "Two of Sonja's weekly home care visits are with are with a husband and wife, both on hospice, who she has seen for over two and half years now. The first visit with the husband was   one of the first visits she ever made as an Agrace volunteer. When his wife came on services, the family requested the same volunteer spend one on one time with each of them at this assisted living facility." In addition to her regular visits, "She has dedicated  almost every Saturday morning to visiting Agrace patients for the last two and half years providing meaningful companionship by taking patients for wheelchair rides around the facility, playing music, reading or just making sure they got a fresh glass of water during their visit.  In addition to homecare visits on the weekend, she is always willing to help with vigils during the work week.  She provides a soft, caring presence for patients who are imminently dying and their loved ones.  Additionally, Sonja helps with one time needs such as serving food at our annual brick walk memorial or helping with urgent needs like delivering holiday meals to in-home patients."
 
When Sonja isn't found at Agrace, she is often volunteering other places in her community, "Sonja has a weekly volunteer commitment at a local food pantry that she started six years ago with her daughter when she was in high school, but then continued after her daughter graduated and moved away. Her sister who is a Special Ed teacher also inspired her over the years to volunteer at Special Olympics."
 
Volunteer Coordinator Emily Corron and the staff at Agrace have nothing but the best to say about Sonja. "Sonja Foldvari radiates humility.  She is a full-time employee who visits weekly with home care patients, sometimes three to five patients, depending on the need.  She has grown in her home care volunteer role by becoming trained to provide vigil for patients who are imminently dying.  Furthermore, Sonja has gone above and beyond by volunteering for Agrace special events or when there is an urgent need."
 
Keep up your amazing work as a Volunteer Rock Star, Sonja!  
 
Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. is a nonprofit, community-based health care agency who provides hospice and palliative care services in private homes, and in skilled nursing, assisted living and other community residential facilities across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Our offices are located in Madison, Janesville and Baraboo, Wisconsin; and in Rockford, Illinois. Their mission is to partner with patients and families to improve quality of life throughout serious illness. For nearly 40 years, Agrace has been an innovator and leader in both caring for patients and their families, and in educating others about death, dying and grief. For more information, visit their website at: www.agrace.org.