Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) will hold volunteer training classes on October 8 and 15 from 5 p.m. " 9 p.m. at the Hospice of VNS Care Center located at 3358 Ridgewood Road in Fairlawn. Participants are required to attend both dates. There is no fee.

Hospice of VNS matches volunteer interests with program needs. Volunteers assist with important functions at the Hospice of VNS Care Center, such as visiting patients, answering telephones, filing, assembling charts, assisting with mailings, running errands, or arranging flowers, among other activities. Volunteers can also visit patients in their homes or skilled nursing facilities throughout Summit, Medina, Stark and Portage Counties.

Volunteers receive comprehensive training covering such topics as the physical and emotional needs of patients and caregivers, spiritual aspects of care, the Hospice concept, comfort care issues, communications skills, active listening, and all aspects of death, dying, and grief and bereavement. New volunteers to the program are mentored by seasoned volunteers.

For more information on volunteering for Hospice of VNS, or to register for volunteer training, please call Terri DeGeorge, Manager of Volunteer Services, at 330-668-4650 or 800-335-1455, Ext. 4650 or Joyce Hargreaves, Volunteer Assistant/Trainer at 330-668-4637.