ESCANABA — OSF HealthCare HomeCare and Hospice in Escanaba will host volunteer training from 4 to 7 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, July 23, and Thursday, July 25, in the second-floor conference rooms at OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group.

Hospice volunteers have unique duties and play an important role in patient and caregivers’ lives.

They spend their time with the terminally ill to provide a listening ear. They may sit in silence, simply to provide a kind presence. They give caregivers the opportunity to attend appointments, go to lunch or in some cases, just take a nap knowing that their loved one is not alone.

It takes a special someone to serve as a hospice volunteer. Sometimes, the people who are at first unsure of their talents go on to be the best volunteers, and to find a deep sense of reward in the position.

For more information and to register, call Ilene Kotajarvi, volunteer coordinator, at 906-786-3915.