Hospice holds events; introduces new staff

The last few days and weeks have been especially busy for Hospice of Alleghany, as staff members and volunteers have participated in several annual observances.

November was Hospice Month, and hospice presented a puppet show to elementary school children.

On Nov. 30, hospice held an open house at its Doughton Street headquarters, including a celebration of hospice's 15 years in Alleghany County. According to hospice's social worker Millie Swenk, the organization has served 250 patients, trained 175 volunteers and raised $200,000 during that time.

Hospice Sabbath was observed last Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday hospice held its annual "Light Up a Life" memorial service at the Alleghany Senior Citizens Center, culminating with the lighting of the "Tree of Lights" Christmas tree on the nearby Alleghany County Courthouse lawn. For two new staff members at Hospice of Alleghany, it was their first time to help organize and lead those events. Sheila Hall became volunteer coordinator in August, while Lisa Zanzig Rogers was named as patient care coordinator about a month ago.

Sheila Hall

"I've been amazed and astonished at what hospice consists of and the lengths the people go to to ensure good care for the patients," said Hall. "I didn't know what a big project this actually was when I first started." Hospice provides care for terminally-ill patients and their families, especially those patients who want to spend their final days and weeks at home.

An Alleghany County native, Hall has lived here all her life except for four years in Ashe County, where her husband is from. She attended Sparta Elementary School and Alleghany High School. While in high school, she worked at Lowes Foods in Sparta. She afterward worked at Hanes in West Jefferson and Bassett Walker in Sparta.

After Bassett Walker closed, she began classes at Wilkes Community College-Alleghany Campus, majoring in office systems technology.

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