Volunteer Profile : Pat DesJardin
Behind every nonprofit organization is a team of stellar volunteers who are deeply devoted to its mission . This certainly rings true at Pathways , and we are excited for you to get to know a few of our volunteers . First up … Pat DesJardin !
As a Pathways volunteer , Pat provides companionship and caregiver relief for hospice and palliative patients and their families . He first became involved with Pathways 15 years ago when he was looking for a meaningful way to spend his retirement .
And with 15 years under his belt , Pat certainly has a few stories to tell .
One patient to whom Pat was a companion shared one day that he used to play football for Oklahoma State University . Pat took his companionship role a step further and reached out to the college ’ s athletic director to see if there was any record of the patient on file . To his surprise , Pat received in the mail a large photograph of the patient as a young man proudly displaying his championship trophy , which Pat hung about the patient ’ s bed .
On another instance , Pat was called in to briefly stay with a patient while his wife had to run to the airport . The patient enjoyed Pat ’ s company and told him all about his long and remarkable life . When he was finished , the patient simply said , “ Now that I ’ ve told you my story , I ’ m going to go to sleep .” He died peacefully in his sleep that night .
These are just two of many stories that stand out when Pat is recounting his time as a volunteer , but every experience is different . Sometimes Pat serves as a companion to a patient for a week , other times a year , and once in a while even longer . Currently , he fills his time visiting a 94-year-old patient for a few hours each week , to whom he has provided companionship for two and a half years .
Donor Spotlight : The Kayla Foundation
Pathways would like to sincerely thank The Kayla Foundation for its incredibly generous grant in the amount of $ 500 to go toward Pathways ’ music therapy program .
The Kayla Foundation was founded in 2009 , two years after a tragic car accident claimed Kayla Adsit ’ s life . Her parents continued Kayla ’ s love of community and music through The Kayla Foundation , which provides financial support to enhance local schools ’ and nonprofits ’ music programs .
Our Pathways music therapists , Beth and Sarah , provide healing and comfort to individuals through our hospice , CLLI and Grief and Loss programs , and this grant will support these services immensely . Thank you to the Adsit family for all that you do for Pathways !
Regardless of the situation , one thing remains consistent – Pat is there to bring comfort , relief and his compassionate heart to everyone he visits .
“ Some patients don ’ t have any family in the area ,” says Pat . “ And others do but they don ’ t visit . It ’ s always a very rewarding experience .”
Our patients are lucky to have a companion like Pat , and we ’ re lucky to have him as a volunteer . Thank you for all you do , Pat !
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