2018 Volunteer Spotlight: Donna Robbins

Meet Donna Robins, a valuable Hospice volunteer and Abider with Campbell County Health in Gillette, Wyoming.

Donna spends much of her time volunteering at the Close to Home Hospice Hospitality House, assisting with clerical work.

When she retired from The Boeing Company 13 years ago, Donna had been looking for a way to help others in the community. She has a Master’s degree in Public Administration making the Hospice Volunteer Program the perfect fit for her.

“Donna is a volunteer who helps us with a lot of the behind-the-scenes work so that we [hospice staff] can provide the very best services to our patients every day,” says Melisa Haddix, MSW, Hospice and Home Health Social Worker. “There are many clerical activities that need accomplished in our office including filing, scanning, verification of records and much more!”

“Donna is meticulous when it comes to her clerical work,” says Jodie Williamsen, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator. “She makes sure that everything is in order and keeps our office running smoothly with the work that she does.”

In addition to her clerical work, Donna is a member of the Abider program at CCH. This program ensures no one dies alone by providing trained, nonclinical volunteers to give comfort and company to patients who are near death.

“As an abider, Donna has sat with some of our hospice patients while they were actively dying in order to give family respite or sit with patients whose family members are not able to be with the patient, so the amount of time a patient is alone is minimal,” explains Melisa.

Her compassion for others is recognized by CCH Hospice staff.

“Her caring heart is just what is needed when our patients and families need love and support during a very diffi cult time. She is a true angel!” says Jodie.

Donna says that being a member of the Abiding Team at CCH is the best thing she does. “It is an honor to be with someone during their last moments on earth,” says Donna.

In her spare time, Donna enjoys playing Bridge and painting ceramics. She is a member of the local writing group, Prairie Pens, where she writes family history stories. She passes these stories down to her two sons (both of whom live in Gillette) and her four grandkids. Donna also has a great-granddaughter in Laramie. Because of compassionate volunteers like Donna, CCH Hospice is able to provide the very best service and support to patients and their loved ones.

Donna embodies the spirit of volunteerism—giving her time for the opportunity to help others. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your time and heart with CCH Hospice.

If you're interested in learning more about volunteering with CCH, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Chris Buxton at 307.688.1536 or visit www.cchwyo.org/volunteer.