At Hospice Ministries, there are many volunteers who work behind the scenes to aid in operations. Mark Maloney is one of these special behind the scenes players on the Hospice Ministries volunteer team. His service began three years ago after his wife Libby Marley, a volunteer gardener, volunteered him to care for the lawn until an inexpensive service could be hired.
What began as a simple, temporary arrangement turned into much more a few weeks later. “After much rain and grass growth one week, he had a brainstorm- Wednesday is golf day! He sent a text to the group to show up at Hospice and help manicure the grounds,” Libby said. Mark brought together a team of men with whom he regularly played golf to come to the Ridgeland facility and help with any lawn care needs. Mark explained that they come in as a team to mow the grass, weed eat, blow leaves, and whatever else is needed. “Since Hospice Ministries was a nonprofit center and unable to hire full-time lawn care, we wanted to help fill a need for something small that we thought could make a big difference,” Mark said.
Like Mark stated, small improvements, such as regular lawn care, make a big difference in how the facility is presented, and volunteers who take the initiative to maintain this image have a special place in the heart of Hospice Ministries. The Hospice Ministries family is very grateful for the time that they spend helping the facility grounds look nice for patients, their family and friends, and the Hospice staff.