Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service Volunteer Wins Honorable Mention in Statewide
Volunteer Award by MMO
Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) volunteer Marilyn Hodge has won statewide
recognition with an honorable mention in the Outstanding Senior Volunteer Awards
sponsored by Medical Mutual of Ohio. The award honors individuals age 65 or older
who act in a selfless, caring manner and are committed to enhancing the quality
of life for people and the community.
Ms. Hodge, a resident of Fairlawn, began volunteering for Hospice of VNS 12 years
ago after retiring as a Registered Nurse. She is a dietary volunteer and delivers
meals to patients at the Hospice of VNS Care Center on Ridgewood Road in Akron.
She prepares coffee and soup for the Care Center’s family kitchen for hospice patients’
families to enjoy, as well as helping the Care Center dietary staff by doing inventory,
stocking pantry shelves and setting up patient meal trays.
“Marilyn is very dependable and is at the Care Center every Wednesday like clockwork.
She mentors new volunteers and brings cheer to the dietary department with a consistently
friendly demeanor and upbeat attitude. Marilyn is always cheerful, willing to help
in any way, has a remarkable positive attitude and is loved by all! Despite some
personal setbacks, Marilyn never wavered in contributing her time weekly to the
patients and families of Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service and continues to do so,”
says Terri DeGeorge, Manager of Volunteer Services for Hospice of VNS, who nominated
her for this award.
Ms. Hodge received Honorable Mention recognition at the 16th annual awards banquet
to be held at the LaCentre Conference and Banquet Center in Westlake, Ohio on October
4, 2007. She was be accompanied by Ms. DeGeorge; Debby Berkey, Vice President of
Hospice of VNS; and three of her dietary co-workers.