Volunteer Appreciation Backyard BBQ

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Hospice SLO County invited our volunteers to attend a special Volunteer Appreciation Backyard BBQ on Thursday, May 31st in the parking lot of our San Luis Obispo office. Our staff grilled and treated volunteers to hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers, along with sides, salads and homemade apple pie. Volunteers from all parts of the agency were celebrated and given the opportunity to connect with each other.

During the evening, CJ O’Hara was recognized for his decades of service as an In-Home Volunteer at Hospice SLO County. CJ has provided hundreds of hours of in-home support to our clients and their families. His passion for volunteering has also encouraged others to join our organization, including his son, Patrick O’Hara, who currently sits on the Hospice SLO County Board of Directors.

After dinner, staff and volunteers welcomed Lisa Arakaki and Jeff Whitlow, who read their entries to Hospice SLO County’s 1st Annual “On this Side of Goodbye” Campaign in recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day. Arakaki’s essay, “Mom and Dad’s Legacy,” and Whitlow’s poem, “This Side of Goodbye,” were two of three entries chosen to be featured on our website during the month of May. (The third finalist, Laurel Renz, was unable to attend.) Both works reflect on saying goodbye in times of dying, which is a topic that resonated with our volunteers in the audience.  

ounty has depended on the generosity of compassionate community members to provide vital services throughout the county. Over 150 professionally-trained volunteers donate their time, allowing us to serve thousands of individuals in San Luis Obispo County annually.

This event was made possible by Sylvester's Burgers, who generously donated the barbeque for the evening, and we are very grateful for their support.

We are humbled by the generosity of our volunteers. Thank you for all the amazing work you do!