Banquet was held on April 24

May 15, 2025 (ALBEMARLE, NC) – Tillery Compassionate Care recently held a banquet to celebrate and recognize the agency’s volunteers.  The banquet was held on April 24 at Atrium Stanly’s Special Events Center.  Soul Noises, an improvisatory jazz duo, provided a fun experience for the volunteers and their guests.

Hailey Black, volunteer coordinator, welcomed the crowd with words of thanks.  “You truly are the heart of Hospice, and we couldn’t do it without you by our sides. We are here tonight to celebrate you, for all the many things you do for Tillery Compassionate Care.”

“The root word for volunteer–“vol”—means ‘will,’ ‘wish,’ as in of one’s own volition. One’s own free will. We are thankful our volunteers choose to give their time to our organization, our patients, in a world of other meaningful missions.” Lori Thayer, Tillery Compassionate Care CEO,” said Chief Executive Officer Lori Thayer.  “We are grateful for our volunteers’ support and compassionate care! “

Awards presented at the banquet include:

Board of Directors                                             
9 Years
Stephen Aldridge

6 Years
Jeremy Griffin

 5 Years
Jo Ann Bowers
Frank Bowers
Terri Large
Jan Ritchie

Deborah Watkins
10 years

Margaret Fields
15 years
Hazel Dorsey
Smokey Dorsey

20 Years                                                                          
Bill Randle

30 years
Debbie Kiker

2024 Most administrative hours – Pat Mills

Most fundraising/Angel hours for 2024 – Maxine Basinger

2024 most direct patient care hours – Terri Large

Overall hours for 2024 – Pat Mills – 500 hours

Lifetime achievement awards

Maxine Basinger 1,000 hours
Pat Mills 6,500 hours

Newcomer Award of 2024
Pat McSwain

Volunteers of the year for 2024
Pat Mills
Sharon Covey

“Thank you to all our volunteers! Your spirit, energy, and commitment to Tillery Compassionate Care makes a difference every day to our staff and our patients and families,” said Hailey Black, Volunteer Coordinator

For more details on the volunteer program at Tillery Compassionate Care, please call 704.983.4216 or visit  Hospice Volunteer Opportunities | Tillery Compassionate Care

Pictured is Pat Mills, who received the Volunteer of
the year award for 2024.

Hospice of Stanly County, Inc., dba Tillery Compassionate Care, a nonprofit organization, was founded through the grassroots efforts of people in the community, and it continues to be governed locally by a board of directors.  Through the generosity of many, Tillery Compassionate Care has been able to provide care to nearly 8,000 terminally ill residents since 1981.  At Tillery Compassionate Care, we spark inspiration, hope, and peace, enabling individuals with serious illness to embrace their spirit of life. More information about hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is available from Tillery Compassionate Care by calling 704.983.4216 or visiting tillerycompassionatecare.org.