It was another successful year for Hospice East Bay’s Giving Tree project! At the holidays, the Giving Tree project amplifies the kindness that Hospice East Bay staff and volunteers spread every day in patient homes and facilities. During the month of November, our clinical team members recommend patients, family members or caregivers who would appreciate a special gift during the holiday season. Each recommendation is placed on our Giving Tree for volunteers and staff to choose from.
This year, 125 gifts were given out! Below are some of the sweet comments received by volunteers who delivered gifts just after Thanksgiving.
“Patient said he had just lost his scarf and this is just what he needed. He kept saying how uplifting hospice was and he thought the entire organization was wonderful. I left him with the scarf wrapped around his neck and told him he looked very ‘dapper’ which he happily repeated.”
“Cat books! This is so personal, it must have been that lovely Martha. I love them.”
“Upon receiving a soft, stuffed horse, the patient said it will remind her of her former live horses. She said, “I wish my husband could have seen this.”
“My patient was totally delighted and thrilled with her shawl. She said it was so beautiful, warm and comfy. She kissed my hand in thanks.”
“I delivered a warm, cozy, lime green throw blanket to my patient. When she opened the gift she had tears welling in her eyes and was ‘so amazed’ at the kind hospice team who just keeps giving and giving. In her mother’s presence, she shared that since coming on hospice she has never felt so taken care of and just can’t believe how much hospice loves her. She was so cute in that she started to discuss a plan to get a thank you in the mail right away. Such a pleasant experience for me to see the powerful influence of the entire hospice team. An added touch was that the color of the blanket was the EXACT hue of her outfit, which made her grin even broader.”
Thank you volunteers and staff for lighting up our patients’ lives with kindness!
