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Many Ways to Volunteer
Cheryl French, Volunteer
The lines of organizational need and career experience intersected when Kathy Apple joined the Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice Board in 2016. Kathy brought the important background of nursing and nonprofit experience, just as Celia’s House had been purchased and the hard work of creating a residential hospice home began.
As an advanced practice nurse, Kathy spent her early career in psychiatric mental health, before becoming CEO of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, a national nonprofit organization. Serving on the Friends of Hospice Board, she became Chair of the Residential Care Committee. Her important role included guiding the creation of policies and an operations manual for the house, training for CNAs that were to be hired, and participating in the initial hiring of Celia’s House first administrator and first nurse.
After two terms, Kathy is stepping away from the Board. She said, “Right now, it seems perfect timing in many ways. In the beginning, getting something started to see what works and doesn’t work was a challenge. Now, Celia’s House is fully functional, and things are going very well. I think it’s good to have turnover on a board with a fresh look and new experience.”
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Dwight Wilson, Executive Director said, “Kathy served on the Executive Council and as Board Secretary and played a key role in directing the efforts of the Board’s move to a governing model. Her questions and comments helped focus the organization on what mattered.”
Although she is moving from the Board, she is not completely leaving the organization. Kathy said she loves interacting with families that visit loved ones at Celia’s House and plans to continue volunteering as a front entrance greeter. “How can you not love the Mission? I couldn’t completely stay away!”
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Securing our Future
Dwight Wilson, Executive Director
Most nonprofit organizations face similar challenges to maintain their quality of services as they grow, particularly in the areas of leadership turnover, financial planning, and continuity of culture.
To focus on the organization’s long-term success, last year the Board of Directors voted to transition from day-to-day operations to a governing role. I love to set and reach for stretched goals, and we did set aggressive ones for ourselves. I’m happy to report that we met just about all of them.
This year, moving deeper into their governing role, the Board is proactively planning for the expected challenges ahead to secure our future. Briefly, here is how this translates to our work for 2023:
Administration & Leadership Support
In addition to myself, we now have two more licensed residential care administrators who help manage Celia’s House operations. This ensures that if one of us is unavailable, continuity of care is well provided and seamless. The Board Executive Committee is preparing education and succession planning for future board leadership and mentoring.
Financial Security
2022 was our best year financially since opening Celia’s House. Now the Advancement & Endowment Committee is working on a policy of investment for long term revenue.
Enhancing our Culture of Kindness and Care
Working side by side with volunteers and chaplains, we are setting up an in-house educational program to support our staff and enrich the end-of-life culture of kindness and care that we are known for. We will continue to look for ways to reach out and support underserved communities.
As we move from a small to mid-sized organization, I am very proud of the exceptional work and care that have been the through-line of our growth, and very grateful for the contributions of our Board, staff, volunteers, and your ongoing generosity.
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The HUB's Volunteer Appreciation Brunch | |
Dedicated and talented HUB (Hospice Unique Boutique) volunteers came to Celia's House for a brunch Sunday, February 19th, put on by The HUB's staff to show appreciation for their treasured volunteers. | |
A delicious spread was offered to all in attendance, as well as a coffee, tea, and a mimosa bar. The HUB wanted to recognize the incredible work of their volunteers in a new and fun way. | |
The HUB's new Volunteer Coordinator, Jessica, as well as Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice Executive Director, Dwight Wilson, each said a few words of appreciation. Jessica comes to The HUB with passion, impressive experience, and enthusiasm–making the team excited for future projects and events. | |
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Here We Grow!
The HUB (Hospice Unique Boutique) has long been an essential source of funding and community support for Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice. Since The HUB opened its doors in 2009, it has raised over $1 million through sales of donated high-quality household items, art, furniture and clothing. Shop sales have increased by nearly 40% in the past four years alone. We’ve run out of space!
Beyond the store's sales floor, and in the backroom, the real magic happens. With the help of our invaluable volunteers, donations are accepted, processed, sorted, cleaned, and priced for sale. Like our sales, donations have increased dramatically to over 63,000 items per year or over 1,200 items per week.
In order to adapt to this increase and to work more efficiently, we are expanding our processing workspace by building a temporary custom-built shed behind The HUB. This added space will help streamline the donation process, ease congestion and workflow challenges and improve safety for donors, volunteers and staff. Plans have been developed, submitted and approved by the City. With bids estimating a cost of $75,000, we’re ready to move forward.
In the coming weeks, we are launching a campaign to raise $75,000 for this much-needed upgrade.
If you would like to make a donation, you have the option to write a check to:
Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice
217 S Modoc Ave. Medford, OR 97504
Please indicate that your donation is for the HUB Shed. You may also make a donation on our website: sofriendsofhospice.org
We greatly appreciate your support!
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1618 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR
Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 10:30am – 5:00pm;
Closed Sunday.
(541) 488-7805
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- New donation hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:30am - 4:00pm. The HUB is closed Sunday and no donations are accepted Monday.
- Interested in volunteering at The HUB? Contact us (541) 488-7805
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Remembering our Residents
Beginning this year, we will place a Memorial Brick in our Reflection Garden for all of Celia's House residents that have spent the last days of their life with us, unless there is a request from the family to do otherwise. This year, we will be completing the bricks for those we had the honor of serving in 2022. If you have questions about our Memorial Bricks or this process, please reach out to our Communications Coordinator Alex Castelo at 707-480-5704 or alexandria.castelo@sofriendsofhospice.org.
Thank you for your support.
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"As soon as I walked through the front door, I felt more welcomed than anywhere else I have ever been in my entire life. Everyone said hello, and after being here for only an hour, the kitchen staff offered to make us a homemade meal, and we were able to eat at the dining room table as a family.
This isn't just a hospice, it's a home." -Joe
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We are Here to Help. Please Give Us a Call.
Our team recognizes that caregiving at the end of life can be challenging. For questions about admissions or other support, please call (650) 743-7997.
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