PRESS RELEASE
MEEKER | Volunteers at HopeWest play a special role in supporting individuals and families facing the challenges of aging, illness, and grief. Their dedication contributes to the exceptional care provided across western Colorado and strengthens HopeWest’s ability to serve with compassion and excellence.
In 2025 alone, 1,085 active volunteers contributed an extraordinary 80,417 hours of service collectively across all service areas. This is equivalent to 39 full-time employees and a remarkable $2.8 million in value for time and cost savings.
“Our team of volunteers makes HopeWest so extraordinary,” said Diana Jones, Program Director and Volunteer Coordinator at HopeWest in Meeker. “The most valuable gift someone can give is their time, and we greatly appreciate how much our volunteers give to support our programs.”
Volunteer talents enrich every HopeWest program, helping fulfill our promise to deliver care that goes above and beyond basic standards, making each experience meaningful and memorable for those served. As essential members of the HopeWest team, volunteers support patients, clients, families, and teammates in many ways.
Volunteers provide respite for caregivers, offer companionship to children and teens in grief groups, and support special events. Others share hobbies and skills, such as sewing and baking for those in our programs. Some choose to offer their time playing games or crafting with patients. No matter their interests or how they serve, the contributions of our volunteers make an impact every day.
“HopeWest volunteers make a real difference,” said Peggy Shults. When Peggy’s husband enrolled in HopeWest’s care several years ago, volunteers were part of the team that helped honor his final wish. “My husband wanted our ranch to be his final resting place, and volunteers were able to set up a bed to make it possible,” she said.
Peggy has been a volunteer since 2014. She says her personal experience with HopeWest is what inspires her to continue to help others and is what shaped her most as a volunteer, giving her a deeper understanding of how best to support others going through the same process. “It’s such a good feeling to give to a community that has been so good to me,” she said.
Peggy serves as a patient companion and quilt volunteer for HopeWest, where she has made it her mission to care for others the way she hopes to be cared for. She spends time listening to patients as they reflect on their lives, telling stories, and reliving memories.
For Peggy, volunteering feels like a privilege, and she hopes to continue volunteering as long as she can. She is grateful to serve a community that gives back and has helped her in many ways.
To learn more or to become a HopeWest volunteer, visit hopewestcares.org/volunteer.
Peggy Shults of Meeker services as a patient companion and quilt volunteer for HopeWest. She’s one of a team of multiple volunteers for the organization who have contributed more than 80K hours in 2025 alone.
