ASHLAND — Hospice of North Central Ohio (HNCO) presented the second annual Sandra J. Rule Dauch Volunteer of the Year Award to Patricia Rankin, posthumously, at its recent Volunteer Holiday Breakfast.
Rankin volunteered for HNCO and Hospice of Knox County for 13 years. A former teacher, Rankin especially enjoyed the integral role she played in developing the curriculum used each year at Camp Hope, HNCO’s summer bereavement camp for children.
Shortly before the 2017 Camp Hope week, Rankin received a terminal diagnosis. She was determined to fulfill her commitments for Camp Hope and shared her situation openly with the children at camp.
Rankin not only served the children this year, she continued to write and edit the curriculum for 2018.
In addition to her important role with the bereavement camp, Rankin was actively involved in many volunteer activities at Hospice of Knox County, especially at the holidays. She loved to decorate and organize Christmas parties for bereaved families, and she participated annually in the Lighting of the Memory Tree and Christmas caroling.
Her nominators stated: “Trish was dedicated to Camp Hope and its mission. She believed in it and was always ‘all in.’ She has forever changed the lives of hundreds of kids.”
Patricia Rankin died at her home on Oct. 30, 2017, at age 72. A few short weeks before, with her family at her side, Rankin was presented the Sandra J. Rule Dauch Volunteer of the Year Award by the Hospice of Knox County staff members with whom she worked most closely.
She was thrilled and honored with the recognition.
A grant received by The Richard & Sandra Dauch Foundation in 2015 established the award which is presented each November in honor of National Hospice and Palliative Month to a HNCO volunteer who exhibits extraordinary commitment, impact, personal growth, and inspiration to others.
Nominations were submitted by supervisors and peers and reviewed by a selection committee.
The name of each Volunteer of the Year is permanently displayed on plaques at the hospice offices in Ashland, Mount Vernon, and Ontario, and at What Goes ‘Round Thrift Shoppe in downtown Mansfield.
In addition to Rankin, Harold Burkholder, Ruth Calhoun, Claudia Dunn, Evelyn Giovas, Beth Hoeffgen, Betty Roland, Janet Seabold, Jeanette Thomas, and Sheryl Weber were nominated for the 2017 Dauch Volunteer of the Year Award.
HNCO boasts 290 volunteers who provide companion and vigil care for patients, help with administrative duties, water plants, assist at special events, operate What Goes ‘Round Thrift Shoppe in Mansfield, and more. Several were recognized for milestones in their years of service, including Marge Armstrong and Jeanne Phillips, who have volunteered for 20 years.
For information about becoming an HNCO volunteer, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Danielle Sutton at 419-685-4232.
Hospice of North Central Ohio continues to provide palliative, hospice, and bereavement services to hundreds of families in Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Morrow and Richland counties.
Call 800-952-2207 for more information. HNCO is a partner agency of United Way of Ashland County.
