Volunteers are the Heart of HopeWest

In the News—this story was published in the Rio Blanco County Herald Times.

We consider volunteers to be the “heart” of our organization for one simple reason: every day, in ways both great and small, volunteer support allows HopeWest to continue our mission of helping families in our community facing the issues of aging, illness, and grief. Volunteers give their time and energy and make our community stronger and more vibrant. We are so lucky to live in a place where people truly care for one another!

Community board member and owner of Coal Creek Farms, Billy Goedert, is one such neighbor. Billy has been a volunteer with HopeWest Meeker since 2019, and volunteers both his time and treasures. Billy’s miniature horse, Hope, makes patient visits and has participated in HopeWest Kids grief groups.

Hope and Billy’s greatest adventure was a trip to a patient’s home where Billy was able to coax her up a small flight of stairs into the bedroom where the patient was bed ridden. The joy that Hope brought to the patient’s face was indescribable. The patient stroked Hope’s head under her bridle until she fell asleep with her head in the patient’s lap. This was a moment of peace thanks to Billy and his generosity.

Billy shared his motivation for volunteering is that “Everyone we know in our lives, and in our own lives, has someone they have lost. Through a recent personal experience of guiding a friend and their family through their end-of-life experience, I got to see firsthand how easy HopeWest is.”

Administrative support, serving as a board member, and patient support, are just a few of the many ways that volunteers in Meeker serve to profoundly change the experiences of aging, illness, and grief for families receiving care from HopeWest. In 2022, 2,036 volunteer hours were given in the Meeker area alone.

Volunteers come from all walks of life. They are people who care about their community and want to make a difference. No matter how you choose to volunteer, you can make a difference. Even small acts of kindness can have a big impact on the lives of others.

If you are looking for a way to give back, I encourage you to volunteer. It is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and make a difference in the world.