We Honor Veterans 2024 Annual Report

HopeWest participates in the We Honor Veterans program. It is a national group of hospice organizations on a mission to learn how to serve Veterans through the challenges they may be facing from illness, isolation, or traumatic life experience. The group is a partnership with VAMC and other veteran organizations to provide end-of-life services to our heroes.

Being a member of the national program helps build professional capacity to provide quality care for those who have served our country, provides networking opportunities with other participating hospices, and encourages the development of best practices for providing care.

In 2024, HopeWest served a total of 469 veterans, 403 in Hospice, 41 in Palliative Care, and 25 in PACE. Of those patients, 241 veterans received the pinning ceremony where the beautiful quilts made by volunteers are shared.

HopeWest is honored to move to level 4 of the We Honor Veterans program, highlighting our commitment to those who served.

Veterans Quilt Retreat

This year we started a veteran quilt retreat where volunteers in the community come together to quilt. These quilts are provided during the acknowledgment ceremonies for veterans who wish to receive a special recognition for their service.

Educational Offerings

Our HopeWest team participated in three educational offerings in 2024. We watched the Soul Injury presentation, we held a Whole Health educational presentation with Brooke Wimer from the VA to share about the Whole Health program for Veterans, and we watched the Veteran Psychosocial Issues at the End of Life.

April

Highlighting Vietnam Volunteer Peter

In April we highlighted one of our Vietnam Volunteer, Peter in our April Volunteer Newsletter. We Salute Peter and All Our Vietnam Veterans. National Vietnam War Veterans Day is observed every year on March 29th and is a way to thank and honor our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. Here at HopeWest we honor all veterans and want to share a little bit about our veteran volunteer Peter Erwin. Peter is a volunteer for PACE. He likes to play pool and other games as a companion volunteer at our PACE Day Center. Peter began volunteering in 2023 and has logged 178 volunteer hours in his first-year volunteering! Peter served in the Airforce stateside during Vietnam, as a fireman, and in the Colorado Department of Correction. We salute Peter and all our Vietnam veterans.

May

Memorial Day Wreath Laying

To honor Memorial Day we had a staff member, and two volunteers go to the wreath laying at the VA. We also placed a remembrance take a flag out for people to remember and wear a US flag pin.

June

Recognizing Women Veterans

To honor Women Veterans Day, we took cookies out to the providers and highlighted our staff and volunteers in our volunteer newsletter. HopeWest honors the women in uniform who have continually made the United States military stronger and our nation safer. Raising their hands to serve our country, some while raising children, reinforces the dedication and selflessness of these brave patriots.

“I was married with two young children when I joined and knew it would be an adventure,” said Jeanette Collins, HopeWest Business Office Lead and former Aviation Storekeeper, U.S. Navy. “It was hard work and long hours at times, but something I will never forget.”

Women Veterans Day is not a day separate from Veteran’s Day, but rather a day to commemorate the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, which allowed women to serve as regular members of the U.S. Armed Forces. While women have always stepped up to defend our country, women continue to make history taking on new roles and responsibilities that haven’t always been possible.

“Women were scarce in the military when I decided to join in 1986,” said Darleen White, Hospital Liaison at HopeWest and former Lance Corporal, U.S. Marines. “One of the most important lessons I learned was setting aside your fears and taking a chance on something new.” Offering talents and expertise, many of the women veterans working at HopeWest noted that their service experience taught them accountability, respect, and being part of something bigger than themselves.

“The military helped me grow and learn who I am and what I am capable of. It taught me resilience, tenacity, and grit,” said Charvelle Hunter, PACE Clinic Coordinator and former Military Police, U.S. Army.

Carrying these traits into their work today, it’s no doubt the hard work and discipline of all women veterans at HopeWest, 23 volunteers and eight employees, has molded each into natural leaders. “I advise anyone who is interested in joining the military to research this thoroughly, prepare physically and mentally, and if it is the right fit, you will be part of something that will change you forever—for the better!” shared Darleen White.

July

Flag Dedication at the Center for Living Your Best

To honor the 4th of July, we had a donor who gave money to place a US Flag outside the HopeWest Bacon Center for Living Your Best. We held a Flag dedication ceremony with staff, volunteers, and PACE participants in attendance.

November

Veterans Day Parade

To honor Veterans day, we participated in the local Veterans parade, and made cards for all our Veterans, patients, staff and volunteers. This year was particularly special in that we had 2 veterans who rode in our HopeWest van which was in the parade.