Awards were presented to three volunteers at the annual Rowan Regional Hospice banquet Thursday evening.
Rita Kotarsky, 59, received the Office Volunteer of the Year Award. She is an office assistant for the Adolescent and Family Enrichment Council and attends Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
Kotarsky said, “Hospice services are so beneficial to the patient and family, yet not well-known. I wish to take this opportunity to encourage all families in need and those looking to volunteer to look to Rowan Regional Medical Center Hospice.”
Eric Lawlor and Ed Wright received Volunteer of the Year awards for their work with Hospice.
Lawlor, 43, is a carpenter and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. “I believe to visit the sick is a work of mercy,” he said.
Wright, 71, is retired and a member of Faith Lutheran Church. He said he became a volunteer in 2001 because “Hospice was so good to my sister in Florida when she died.”
About 75 people attended the banquet at the First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall.
The awards were presented by Volunteer Coordinator Sandy Lee, who reported that Hospice volunteers had donated 4,699 hours in 2008, driving 9,789 miles as part of their service. Through the utilization of volunteers, Hospice had a total savings of $98,980 last year.
“We are so fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers,” Lee said. “We could not do the work we do without their support.”
Rowan Regional Hospice Director Audrey Belk was the keynote speaker for the evening. She recognized the many contributions volunteers have made and challenged them to assist Hospice Outreach in reaching diverse populations in Rowan County by embracing one another’s differences and sharing the Hospice story with others.
Belk said the N.C. Health Plan indicates there are more people in Rowan County in need of Hospice care above what is currently being provided.
The director since 1996, she will be retiring effective April 30. Belk introduced Interim Director Kathy Summer at the banquet.