Please read these articles on these amazing
 Eaton Community Hospice Volunteers
 who give so endlessly of their time so that
Eaton Community Hospice can provide care
at no cost to the terminally ill and their families.

 

Stan Baxter

With many volunteers and hospice supporters in attendance at our annual hospice picnic on August 15, 2006, Stanley Baxter was honored with a placque while Margaret Kyser praised him for his tremendous support "behind the scenes" of the Hospice program.

Stanley has been an Eaton Community Hospice supporter since 1993 benefiting the annual Hospice auction with his antique finds and the Hospice Picnic and Christmas "BINGO" games with his found treasures which he donates as prizes. Stan has become famous within the Hospice House for his Wednesday night spaghetti and garlic bread dinner and even has his own "following" of "angels".

When asked what makes Stan such a special volunteer, responses included, "He always makes me smile", "He is always working", "He loves what he does", "He interacts with patients and families well" and "He always has a good joke". Initially, Glen Rairigh mentioned to Stan that Hospice was having their annual auction and was looking for people to donate. This was in 1993. Stan provided him with a few items and he has been donating ever since.

In 2000, Stan’s mother was in need of hospice services and it was then he finally met Margaret Kyser. Margaret assisted with Reva’s care and after her passing, Stan decided he liked the way Hospice worked and asked if there was anything he could do in addition to his auction donations.

"Margaret has a way of being very persuasive" Stan said. But it really didn’t take persuading. He really wanted to volunteer. He soon went through volunteer training and has provided companionship to some patients. "The other volunteers and staff at Eaton Community Hospice are a very important part of my life" Stan remarked. Stan is retired from Comerica Bank (formerly known as Manufacturers Bank) as Vice President after 36 years of service.

Stanley has volunteered with Junior Achievement as an advisor, supervised East Detroit Small Business Fund Drive for United Way, has lent his time to the Grand Ledge Senior Center for many years volunteering with their local activities and he served for Paint the Town - Detroit. He also assisted in the origination of the 1st Optimist Club of Sterling Heights. Stan has been recognized for his work with YMCA in Highland Park as Layman of the Year, as a 20 year member and was recognized by Eastpointe Lions Club for his sales efforts.

We certainly count ourselves blessed to have Stan Baxter as a volunteer.

 

 

Barb and Paul Kerekes

  

If Forrest Gump were observing what goes on at Hospice House, he might say that volunteering was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’ll find.

Paul Kerekes came from across the street when they first broke ground to start building the Hospice House. “I saw the article that they needed volunteers, I applied and they accepted me,” said Paul. “I’ve been here ever since.” He likes to take care of the grounds and do things around the house. In the winter, Paul shovels the walks and clears snow from the deck. Summer involves lawn mowing and trimming shrubs.

Paul also finds satisfaction in his work delivering equipment to patients’ homes. “It’s quite satisfying to see I’m helping someone in need who is just anxious to get this equipment,” Paul said. “They are so thankful. It makes you feel good that you are helping someone.”

In the course of working at Hospice House, Paul met Barbara, the lady who later became his wife. Barbara Armstead, who had lost her husband to cancer several years before, began volunteering in the area of patient care at Hospice House shortly after it opened. “That’s my thing,” Barbara said. “I know how important it is just to have someone to talk to.” Barbara said she has always felt a desire to volunteer.  “I’d always been involved in my children’s schools. I volunteer at the hospital,” she said. “It’s something I need to do, to reach out and help others.”

Barbara says she remembers from her experience of loss how important it is for everyone involved, patient, family and friends, to have someone available to just listen. “Sometimes we forget that we’re there for the families, too,” she said. “They need a listening ear. That is as important as anything we do. We need to listen.”

Paul’s and Barbara’s work has not gone unrecognized. On August 9, at the Hospice picnic Paul and Barbara were distinguished as the Eaton Community Hospice “Volunteers of the Year”. While they were happy to be recognized, Barbara and Paul said they are well aware of the many others whose volunteerism helps make the Eaton Community Hospice mission a success.

Besides keeping the Hospice House in top condition and dealing directly with patients, there are a huge number of tasks that have to happen behind the scenes for the program to run smoothly.

“Not everybody can work with dying patients, Barbara said. “We need all kinds of volunteers.” People are needed in the thrift shop. The office needs to function – the large mailings do not just happen by themselves. Sometimes we have an awful lot of laundry,” Barbara pointed out. “Hospice needs people to visit in the homes. If they can talk with people they can be a great help. It’s not just a matter of being able to work with patients. There are more volunteer needs than what people may think.”

 

 

Larry Baxter

The very first Eaton Community Hospice House "Volunteer of the Year" award went to Larry Baxter. Larry is most deserving of this recognition, and it was a privilege to be able to honor him in this manner.

One of five children,  Larry was born in Roxand Township in Eaton County. A midwife assisted in his birth. We wonder if she knew she was assisting in the birth of a Renaissance Man? At the age of 10, Larry's fist job was bagging potatoes for a local grocery store. He would brag that he bagged over
1,000 lbs, of potatoes a week.  His wages were $ .75 with which he bought a pint of ice cream and 3 comic books. 

Larry was in the National Guard for ten years. He was discharged as a Master Sergeant and in 1964, was awarded by the Detroit Free Press as "Citizen Soldier  of the Year". It was after military life ended, Larry arrived at Kellogg Center on the campus of Michigan State University. For the next 20 years, he worked for MSU in the following capacities: Lifelong Education as the Registrar for University Conferences and off-campus non-credit activities, Conference Facilitator and Conference Coordinator and for the Vice Provost of University Outreach, administering continuing education programs. 

Larry joined the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in 1968 and to this day still enjoys that participation with his little brother Doug Saylor from Lansing; he himself has two boys in which they enjoy calling Larry, "uncle". 

Larry now lives in Grand Ledge and is an avid high school and MSU sports fan. We first met Larry when his mother was receiving Hospice care. Several months after her passing, Larry emailed our office offering to be a volunteer. Before the opening of the Hospice House,  he assisted many families in their own homes 3, 4, and sometimes 5 days a week. 

We recognize Larry for his many hours of kind and loving care given to our Hospice patients during their final days. His ability to help patients and families feel at home and cared for is a "special gift" he gives to others. His warm and gentle ways are truly a comfort to those facing death and to the families left behind