Sherry Mesle-Morain, a Lamoni resident who volunteers with HCI Hospice Care Services' Mount Ayr team, was selected as
a recipient of a 2014 Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award.A volunteer for the local hospice organization since 2008,
Mesle-Morain brings her skills to many special projects in addition to providing a comforting presence to patients and
their families. She has also been active with the local food pantry, NAMI support group, American Cancer Society's
Daffodil Days fundraiser and AmeriCorps/VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America).
Her efforts have helped to secure
nearly $350,000 to local programs including Lamoni Youth Launch, Senior Corps RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program)
for Decatur and Ringgold Counties, and the American Cancer Society.
"Sherry is an inspiration not only to her patients
and their families, but to the entire HCI Hospice Care Services staff and the volunteer team," said Cindy MITCHELL, local
volunteer coordinator with HCI Hospice Care Services, the organization that nominated Mesle-Morain for the honor.
Mesle-Morain comes from a family of volunteers. She says hearing the patients' stories is what she enjoys most about
volunteering for hospice. As a volunteer through HCI Hospice Care Services' Life Review program, she offers patients
closure and memories for their families.
"I know from my studies, as well as from the experiences i have had with our hospice
patients, that they have a need to tell their stories," Mesle-Morain said. "I have done several Life Review activities with
our hospice patients, and I am learning that no two people approach in the same way the telling of their stories."
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2014
