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Rutherford County's Volunteer of the Year winner and candidate for the Governor's Volunteer of the Year later this year, Ellen Scarlett, moved to Rutherford County with her husband Keith Friot and daughter Samantha Friot nine years ago. Two other children, Travis Friot lives in Charlotte and Joseph Scarlett lives in Columbia.
Choosing to settle in Union Mills, the family has a small "hobby farm" that includes two pot belly pigs, three pigmy goats and many chickens.
Ellen and her husband are military veterans. Keith served 21 years in the Air Force and now works for the Forest Service. Ellen served five years in the Army and three years in the Reserves.
Compassionate caregiving is a part of Ellen's spirit and she decided to volunteer with Hospice "in order to give back to the community in which I live,' she said.
As a wife, mother of three and a retired registered nurse, Ellen says it's a privilege to volunteer with Hospice.
"It is an honor to be a meaningful part of the end of life journey. The smallest gestures can mean the most to someone in transition and their family," Ellen continued.
"Volunteering makes my heart full," Ellen said.
"Even the most challenging days are better, if only giving freely of your time. I am beyond honored to be the Rutherford County Volunteer of Year," she said.
United Way contributed $1,000 to Hospice in Ellen's name as the winner of the annual award.
Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, John Carroll, who nominated Ellen for the Volunteer of the Year award said, "Ellen has been such a blessing to so many of our patients and families. She is great at building trust and a positive relationship with those that she works with. She truly has a heart for serving others and we feel fortunate to have her as a member of our volunteer team."
Carroll is always looking for volunteers to work with patients and their families.
"Regardless of what they do, volunteers with Hospice make a positive and meaningful impact on someone's life when they are needed the most," Carroll said.
Carroll said the only requirement to be a volunteer at Hospice is "someone with a caring heart and a desire to give time to others."
Carroll said there are also indirect volunteer needs within Hospice, such as being a greeter at the inpatient unit, writing cards, making telephone calls. Some of the volunteers' work can be done at home.
Anyone interested in learning more about volunteering with Hospice of the Carolina Foothills can contact volunteer coordinator, John Carroll, at 828-245-0095 or 828-748-9410.
