At Heart to Heart Hospice, our volunteers are more than helpers—they are companions, comforters, and friends. They bring relief to tired nurses, overwhelmed family members, and patients facing the uncertainty of end-of-life.
Hospice volunteers’ empathy, generosity, and willingness to show up make a profound difference to all they touch. While our professional team provides medical expertise and spiritual support, volunteers offer a quiet presence—unhurried, attentive, and genuine. Volunteers turn ordinary moments into ones filled with comfort and connection. They help ensure that patients and their loved ones feel seen and supported, reminding them that they don’t have to walk this part of the journey alone.
As International Volunteer Day approaches on December 5, we want to honor these extraordinary people by sharing a few of their stories.
Anrico Lockhard: A Pillar of Community and Connection
 Image caption: Anrico Lockhard (left) and Volunteer Coordinator Randi Williams (right) at the Detroit Zoo’s 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s event |
 Image caption: Anrico Lockhard (right) at a Veteran’s Day pinning event at Heart to Heart Hospice – Southgate, Michigan |
Anrico Lockhard is a mother, friend, and police dispatcher for the Detroit Police Department. She has been volunteering with Heart to Heart Hospice Care in the Southgate area for the past five years. In her free time, she enjoys reading, trips to the zoo, and, of course, volunteering. In her work as a dispatcher, she has learned to stay steady and focused in challenging moments—qualities that naturally carry over when she is with patients and families.
“I love putting a smile on people’s faces, and letting them know they matter.” To Anrico, volunteering goes beyond service—it’s a crucial way to connect with people who need a little extra joy in their lives. Often, the people she visits become like family, and from these connections, she finds meaning and fulfillment. “I love people, and I believe community is about helping each other,” she says—a guiding force that shapes the way she approaches every visit.
Anrico says the staff is a big part of why she loves volunteering at Heart to Heart Hospice. “They always make sure we have everything we need to help our clients.” The friendships she has built have made her experience even more rewarding. Anrico especially treasures her conversations with Randi, the volunteer coordinator. “Those talks are the highlight of my day. We have great laughs and real conversations. It makes me feel encouraged and valued.”
It’s this combination of guidance and genuine connection that makes volunteering so meaningful for her.
Sarah Boren: The Healing Power of Four Paws
 Image caption: Sarah Boren with Toby, a Standard Poodle therapy dog and fellow four-legged volunteer at Heart to Heart Hospice – Evansville, Indiana |
For seven years, Sarah Boren—alongside her faithful therapy dogs—has brought comfort, joy, and companionship to patients and families at Heart to Heart Hospice. A retired teacher with a large, loving family, Sarah has seen firsthand how her therapy dogs can impact patients, including those facing memory challenges or cognitive changes.
“My dogs bring joy to patients and families,” she says. “Even for a few minutes, they forget their troubles.” For Sarah, her work with Heart to Heart Hospice is about showing up with her dogs and allowing patients and families to find respite in their playfulness.
Her journey as a hospice volunteer began with a suggestion from a friend at Heart to Heart Hospice, and she quickly saw the impact her dogs could make. The simple act of petting her dogs’ soft coats can calm anxiety and open pathways to connection with patients and families, even when words fail.
One experience stands out vividly. Sarah visited a woman with dementia who couldn’t recognize her own family or recall her name. Yet when the therapy dog approached, she knew the dog’s name. “The nurse was amazed,” Sarah recalls. It shows the profound impact animals can have on individuals.
It’s moments like these that inspire Sarah to keep coming back with her pups.
Regenia Paige: Transforming Grief into Acts of Service
 Image caption: Regenia Paige, a volunteer with Heart to Heart Hospice – Troy, Michigan |
Being a hospice volunteer is deeply personal for Regenia Paige. In 2024, she faced tremendous loss: her husband and her father passed within a few months of each other. They both received end-of-life care at Heart to Heart Hospice, and the support she experienced from the staff and volunteers left a lasting impression and inspired her to give back through volunteering.
“The compassion, love, and care were second to none,” she shares. “In the hardest part of life, the gentleness of care at this facility cushioned the impact.”
During her husband’s final days, Regenia stayed 24/7 at the hospice house and witnessed firsthand the staff’s dedication—not only in caring for her husband but also in supporting her. That experience deepened her desire to help others.
Shortly after her husband passed, Regenia found herself struggling at home. Remembering the staff’s words—“No matter what time it is, if you want to visit, you come see us. If you need a hug, or just want to hang out and watch TV, come on in—just don’t forget the popcorn”—she decided a visit was exactly what she needed. “They showered me with genuine love and compassion,” she recalls. Though she initially forgot the popcorn, when she finally brought it, the laughter and teasing from the staff lifted her spirits even more.
Beyond her volunteer service, Regenia has a rewarding life. She is a mother of three sons, grandmother to six (with one on the way), works in a chiropractic office, and tends to over 80 plants, proudly calling herself a “crazy plant lady.” Through it all, her commitment to being present, compassionate, and honoring her husband and father reflects her dedication to hospice.
Bringing Comfort, One Visit at a Time
On this International Volunteer Day, we celebrate all Heart to Heart volunteers. Each one brings unique strengths, energy, and care to the people they serve. From the moment they walk through our doors, their dedication, kindness, and presence brighten lives and leave a lasting impact. They truly are the hearts behind compassionate care.
Stories like these illustrate how volunteering at Heart to Heart Hospice is more than a role—it’s a gift of heart and presence. Volunteers bring a sense of dignity to patients and families, offering respite and friendship when they’re needed most.
If these stories have resonated with you and you are interested in volunteering, there’s a place for you at Heart to Heart Hospice. Volunteers don’t need any specific skills. All it takes is an open heart and the willingness to show up. We have plenty of opportunities available across the United States, from spending time with patients to assisting with office tasks or offering support to loved ones after a loss. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference.
You can learn more about how to get involved and meet the professionals who guide and encourage our volunteers. At Heart to Heart Hospice, our goal is to support volunteers every step of the way so they feel confident and prepared in their roles. When you’re ready, visit our volunteer submission page. It’s a chance to join a community of people who care deeply about supporting others.
