National Volunteer Month: Keith's Story

For the past 11 years, Keith has been a dedicated volunteer with Hospice of the Western Reserve. His journey started with his wife, Lin, who began visiting patients as a hospice volunteer. Inspired by her work, Keith joined her in visiting patients for the first two years. Then, Lin started volunteering at the Warehouse Sale, and Keith decided to go along. That decision turned into a decade-long commitment.

“I’ve been helping with the Warehouse Sale for 10 years now, mostly moving furniture,” Keith says. “It’s been really rewarding. I enjoy the camaraderie—we’ve all become really close friends.”

For Keith, hospice care is personal. Both of his parents received care from Hospice of the Western Reserve. He still remembers a late-night conversation that cemented his commitment to giving back.

“At 2 a.m., I was talking to a doctor who specialized in palliative care, and I was just blown away by how they were able to relieve my parent’s pain,” he recalls. “I felt a calling to give back as a volunteer. When you receive help when you need it most, it comes from a large group of people. Everyone should pay that forward.”

Keith knows that not everyone is comfortable working directly with patients, but he believes there’s a place for everyone in hospice volunteering.

“There are so many jobs people can do. If you don’t want to work with patients, you can help at the Warehouse Sale, answer phones—there’s always something to do,” he says. “I don’t think people realize just how many ways there are to help.”

Keith’s contributions go beyond just moving furniture. Volunteer Service Manager Susan Walters highlights his invaluable role on the team.

“He’s currently the only male on our team of 15,” she says. “He fixes, repairs, and assembles anything that needs extra attention.” Keith even adhered all the shelving we use for displays. His engineer’s mindset helps in so many ways. He never misses a sale, always working as a furniture mover and loader. No matter what the team asks, Keith willingly says, ‘yes.’

For Keith, volunteering isn’t just about the work—it’s about the impact. Whether lifting furniture or lending a hand wherever needed, he knows that every effort supports hospice care. And for him, that’s what matters most.