Hospice volunteer and Friends of Wings program win Heart of Hospice award

Peggy White-Davis and the Friends of Wings were honored with the 2018 Missouri Hospice and Palliative Care Association (MHPCA) Heart of Hospice volunteer award and program award. The Heart of Hospice award honors persons affiliated with MHPCA member hospices who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, giving of themselves and, thus, enhancing the quality of life for hospice patients.  

Known for her warm smile Peggy White-Davis shone brightly as a BJC Hospice volunteer with the Lumina program, completing dozens of life review projects for patients.  A volunteer for over twelve years, Peggy gave patients and families the opportunity to share their most precious memories and hopes, creating books, letters or videos for families. 

Faced with her own final journey, Peggy continued her volunteering in whatever way her limitations would allow her, working behind the scenes to transcribe or assist staff with data projects. 

“Volunteering is something that helped fill Peggy’s heart and spirit she told me,” said Eileen Spinner, MA, LPC, BJC Hospice bereavement specialist.  

“Through it all, Peggy’s compassion for and commitment to hospice patients and their caregivers was deep, her energy and enthusiasm was boundless and her dedication to the people she serves remarkable,” says Spinner. “An advocate for the importance of hospice, Peggy exemplified the value of volunteer work, she truly is the heart of hospice and she will be missed.”

Peggy’s husband, Garth Davis, attended the award ceremony and accepted the award for Peggy.  “It was my honor to attend the MHPCA luncheon and accept the award on Peggy's behalf,” states Davis. “BJC Hospice is a fine group of people to be associated with, it's easy to see why this was such an important part of Peggy's life.” 

The Friends of Wings won the heart of hospice award for their program, “We Remember.” They were inspired by a Wings pediatric hospice patient whose motto was to “remember the love.”

The Friends of Wings honor and remember Wings’ patients in a way that let’s their families know that no one is forgotten. 
Volunteers come together to decorate and laminate more than 100 hearts and symbols and  place them on sticks. Then, once the sun sets, the volunteers sneak to the family home and quietly fill the lawn with the sticks. In the morning, families are greeted with the remarkable display in honor of their loved one. 

Said one Wings parent, “Imagine what it was like, waking up on what would have been Zoey’s third birthday to a yard full of hearts, sea turtles and anchors, with messages of love from the Wings team. The “We Remember” program lets families know that there are still people who remember you and most importantly, your child. They aren’t only there for you when your loved one is in hospice care. They continue to show up, support you, and show love long after your loved one has gone.” 

Each year hospices from around the state nominate individuals and programs in the following categories: employee, administrative volunteer, patient care volunteer, hospice aide, program award and lifetime achievement award. 

The MHPCA celebrated hospice staff, volunteers and special programs at the organization’s annual Heart of Hospice Awards Luncheon on February 14 in Jefferson City, Missouri.