Fox Valley Hands of Hope needs patient care volunteers

Fox Valley Hands of Hope, a community-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving those with life-threatening illnesses and the bereaved, is in need of volunteers for its Hands of Hope, Supportive Care and Patient Care programs.

Volunteers provide emotional support, offer respectful caring and nonjudgmental listening while providing a healing presence to patients and their families.

Interested parties must contact Fox Valley Hands of Hope by Thursday, Sept. 1, to participate in the New Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8.

Patient Care Training will be 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Sept. 14 to Oct. 12, at the agency's office, 200 Whitfield Drive in Geneva.

Fox Valley Hands of Hope provides an extensive, ongoing training program for patient care with access to trained professionals always available. "Volunteers are a vibrant and integral part of FVHH. Our volunteers are out in the community, working with those with life-threatening illnesses and their families." said Adriana Torres, manager of volunteer services. "Through training and support, we give our volunteers the tools they need to help their clients, and many continue to work with Fox Valley Hands of Hope for years."

Fox Valley Hands of Hope serves Kane and Kendall counties, and parts of DuPage, Cook and McHenry counties.

In addition to one-on-one support for those with life-threatening illnesses and the bereaved, the agency also offers medical equipment loans, adult and children's grief support groups, community education on end-of-life care and grief, and community lending library.

All services are provided free of charge.

For more information on volunteering for Fox Valley Hands of Hope, contact Adriana Torres at (630) 232-2233, ext. 227, or email atorres@fvhh.net or visit FVHH.net.

Follow Fox Valley Hands of Hope on Facebook.

Don't forget to mark your calendar for "A Walk to Remember" Saturday, Sept. 24. This event is a 5K loop walk along the Fox River, starting at 10 a.m. in Batavia. It is an opportunity for entire families to support Fox Valley Hands of Hope. Walk participants are asked to solicit pledges from friends and family. Participants can dedicate a portion of the course to a loved one. Bring a photo of your loved one to post on the "Memory Board."

Originally founded in 1981 as Fox Valley Hospice, the organization remains dedicated to providing practical, spiritual and emotional support to individuals and their families who are dealing with loss of life. Supported entirely by the community, all care is available without charge regardless of age, income level, race or religious beliefs.