Become a Hospice Volunteer

Bilingual Volunteers make a meaningful difference in the lives of hospice patients and their families who feel most comfortable communicating in a language other than English. We welcome volunteers who are able to comfortably carry on conversations using basic vocabulary and simple phrases in another language. By offering conversation, companionship, and support in a patient’s preferred language, these volunteers help foster understanding, trust, and emotional comfort during a deeply personal time.

Thrift Shoppe Volunteers work in one of our six Hospice Thrift Shoppes—
Alamo, Concord, Danville, Martinez, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek. Volunteers help by sorting, pricing, preparing and selling merchandise. Our shoppes are a significant source of income for Hospice East Bay.

Vigil Volunteers provide compassionate bedside presence for patients who are actively dying. These specially trained volunteers—who serve after meeting specific screening and preparation criteria—play a vital role in supporting the mission of Hospice East Bay. By sitting quietly at the bedside, offering comfort, and maintaining a peaceful presence, Vigil Volunteers bring reassurance not only to patients but also to family members who may be unable to be present at the time of death. Their presence provides families with comfort and peace of mind during an incredibly difficult time. Most importantly, Vigil Volunteers help ensure that no one has to face the end of life alone.

Event Volunteers work with Foundation staff to raise funds to support the programs and services of Hospice East Bay. This is done by planning and working at estate sales, golf tournaments, auctions, health fairs, receptions and more; depending on interest and time availability.

Community Volunteers choose to support our mission and raise funds by organizing and running their own events for the benefit of Hospice East Bay. Individuals sponsor memorial events, numerous country clubs sponsor golf tournaments, women’s clubs hold luncheons and fashion shows, and Kiwanis, Rotary and other civic and professional groups hold special functions to benefit Hospice East Bay. Friends of Hospice groups in Orinda, Rossmoor, and San Ramon Valley sponsor many activities throughout the year to raise funds.

The funds that are contributed from all of these events help to pay for services provided to patients who have no insurance, or insufficient insurance, and to cover the cost of essential services which are not covered by any insurance. This makes it possible for us to offer our services to ALL medically qualified patients, without regard for their financial status.

Massage Volunteers bring their special talents to our patients, who benefit greatly from the gentle and compassionate touch of a massage therapist. If you are a certified massage therapist, a few hours a month of your time can provide much needed comfort and relaxation to our patients.

Hair Care Volunteers can bring dignity to hospice patients at the end of life by volunteering just a few hours a month. Hairstylists with a cosmetology license can provide comfort and solace to our patients as well as their families.

Administrative Volunteers work in our Pleasant Hill office, performing a variety of tasks from entering computer data, creating mailings and making phone calls. Many of them are assigned to a specific department, working alongside staff and significantly adding to the department’s productivity.