For Hub City Times

WAUSAU — Hospice is about living each day to the fullest and helping individuals dying of terminal illness live in a pain-free environment with dignity and peace.

Ministry Home Care-Hospice Services is offering a free, comprehensive training course for individuals who are interested in becoming hospice volunteers. Volunteers are assigned to roles dependent on their individual interests and abilities, as well as availability.

Ministry Home Care-Hospice Services is currently in need of front desk and kitchen help at the House of the Dove in Marshfield. This is about a two-hour commitment per shift. In addition, there is a growing need for patient support volunteers in the Ministry service area, which includes the surrounding communities of Wisconsin Rapids and Marshfield from north to Thorp and south to Coloma/Hancock. People who sew are also sought in the Marshfield area for the Memory Bear Program.

After completing training, approved patient support volunteers are assigned based on patient need. The frequency and duration of patient specific assignments vary according to case specifics. This service allows for flexibility and personal growth.

Personal training and ongoing support for all volunteer positions will be provided. Two sessions will be held in the first floor conference room at the Ministry Home Care-Hospice office at 303 W. Upham St. in Marshfield.

—Session 1: Tuesdays, Feb. 21 – March 14, from 3-5 p.m.

—Session 2: Tuesdays, March 21 – April 11, from 5-7 p.m.

A third session will be offered in two locations: Tuesdays, April 18 – May 9, from 2-4 p.m. at the Neillsville Retirement Community or Clark County Health Care Facility in Owen, room locations to be determined.

These sessions are free, and materials are provided. Registration is required. For more information call 800-397-4216, and ask for Deb Hickey or Jen Masephol. Hickey or Masephol can also be reached via email at Deborah.Hickey@ahah.net or Jennifer.Masephol@ahah.net, respectively.

Calling all green thumbs

MARSHFIELD — Marshfield Clinic and Healthy Lifestyles-Marshfield Area Coalition invite community members to join them in volunteering for Marshfield Clinic Youth Net’s Garden Buds program and the Growing Together Community Gardens.

Volunteer positions are available for the following opportunities:

—Garden Buds instructors (Marshfield Clinic Youth Net): Lead students in garden-related activities every Monday from 4:45-5:30 p.m. March 20 – May 26. Lessons may include garden work, harvesting, and other related activities. Garden Buds Instructors will have support from a Marshfield Clinic Youth Net mentor.

—Garden Buds growers (Marshfield Clinic Youth Net): Ensure that garden beds are productive and well-maintained. Growers are not required to assist with Garden Buds lessons.

—Community garden keepers (Growing Together Community Gardens): Help maintain community garden sites by weeding garden perimeters, maintaining garden fences, and monitoring compost bins and the site water supply. Volunteer groups are welcomed.

—Garden bed rebuilders (Growing Together Community Gardens): Assist with garden bed reconstruction for beds that need upkeep.

Visit the Marshfield Clinic Healthy Lifestyles – Marshfield Area Coalition page at volunteermarshfield.org for more information on volunteering. Contact Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach at 715-221-8400 or healthy.lifestyles@marshfieldclinic.org with any questions.