The week of April 19-25, is National Volunteer Week and organizations across the country are celebrating the contributions of dedicated volunteers who are helping to make life better for others.

Hospice Compassus is honoring hospice volunteers who bring compassion and support to the lives of those facing a life-limiting illness.

“Hospice Compassus recognizes that hospice care is defined by every patient and family we serve in our local community,” said Ann Malone, executive director. “This National Volunteer Week, we want to acknowledge and honor our volunteers who are an integral part of our care team and who make it possible for us to accomplish our mission – to honor life and offer hope to individuals facing a life-limiting illness by supporting them with compassion, integrity and excellence.”

Hospice volunteers are integral members of the dedicated teams of professionals who provide hospice and palliative care across our nation. Hospice volunteers bring companionship to people in the final months and weeks of life, respite to families and caregivers, and support in fund-raising and administrative efforts by hospice organizations.

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

Many people become hospice volunteers after experiencing firsthand the compassionate care Hospice Compassus has provided to a dying loved one. For more information about volunteering in hospice, visit the Web site www.hospicecompassus.com, contact Freda Smith at (601)483-5200 or come by the local office at 725 Front St. Ext., Suite 850.