Hospice volunteer celebrates 25 years of service
Jackie White is the longest-serving volunteer with Hospice of Davidson County.
{Vikki Broughton Hodges/Davidson Local}
At 87 years young, Jackie White of Southmont holds the distinction of being the longest-serving volunteer with Hospice of Davidson County.
For more than 25 years — she started volunteering in December 1996 — White has spent a day each week visiting with Hospice patients and offering respite care for family caregivers or providing administrative help to the staff by answering phones, filing and putting together brochures.
“I just go where I’m needed,” she shared.
Chelsie Scearce, volunteer services manager for Hospice, said White is truly one of a kind and a valuable asset for the nonprofit organization. Scearce offered there are only a few volunteers who have been with Hospice for as long as 10 to 12 years.
“She’s just golden,” Scearce said. “She’s loyal and dedicated and willing to do anything we ask of her.”
White, a Churchland native, returned to Davidson County in 1990 after retiring from a 36-year career with the federal government. She worked in several administrative positions, primarily with the U.S. Department of Defense in Greensboro and Burlington.
White began volunteering at Hospice after she spoke with someone from the agency at an information booth at the local Belk store that was part of a community outreach effort.
“At first, I wasn’t sure I could do it because I get attached to people so easily,” she said. “So, I thought about it and prayed about it and God told me he would take care of me and he has.”
The staff of Hospice of Davidson County threw a surprise 25th anniversary party in December 2021 for long-time volunteer Jackie White. {Contributed photo}
White said it’s a privilege to be able to help Hospice patients and their families. She noted some patients don’t have any local family members and can feel isolated — having someone to talk to can alleviate feelings of loneliness.
Even when there are family caregivers, they often have other responsibilities such as full-time jobs and raising children.
“It makes you feel good to be able to help somebody like that at the end of life,” White explained. “And the families are so appreciative and nice. They’re thankful for a break.”
Scearce said she currently has about 50 volunteers but is looking to add more now that in-person visits are beginning to resume after pandemic restrictions put such visits on hold. White said she would call her patients during this period but missed seeing them more often.
White’s faith informs her need to help others when she can. An active member of Macedonia United Methodist Church, she has long been involved in the children’s ministries, teaching Sunday school and coordinating a Kids Club program for community youth in years past. At this time, she coordinates volunteers to run the nursery during Sunday services.
“When I first started volunteering at Hospice, I thought I was going to bless them — but I’ve come away with the biggest blessing,” she assured. “It’s just such a wonderful organization. I only wish I had found out about it sooner.”
