Volunteer Appreciation Month
Fred & Linda Schultz
All year, Cascade Health Hospice volunteers give generously of their time, talents and empathy. Not a month goes by that we’re not grateful for them – but we take particular note of that gratitude in April as we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month. We hope you’ll join us on social media throughout April to honor the individuals and groups who make a lasting impact on end-of-life care in our community.
Fred and Linda Schultz began volunteering with Cascade Health Hospice in 2013 and officially joined the program in 2014. For over a decade, they played a crucial role in caring for patients and families, and their support was vital in rejuvenating the program post-pandemic. They loved their fellow volunteers; one of Fred’s favorite sayings was, “If you surround yourself with good people, good things will happen to you.”
Both Fred and Linda supported patients and family members, and Linda sang at patients’ bedsides with the Eugene Threshold Singers. Fred’s insight into the volunteer experience, as he posed questions to himself and others like “how has hospice work influenced your views on aging and life?” and “what place does humility have in developing hospice skills?” made the program better and more meaningful for everyone involved. As a couple, Fred and Linda volunteered for events like Festival of Trees and Light Up a Life and helped with pandemic-pivot activities like rose deliveries. Fred’s passion for reading also drew him to the Eugene Public Library, where he was a longtime volunteer.
Sadly, Fred passed away last December. We were honored to care for him in his final days at Pete Moore Hospice House, where the Eugene Threshold Singers brought music to his end-of-life journey. Linda has since retired from volunteering. Fred and Linda will be remembered at Cascade Health Hospice and beyond as volunteers, educators and beloved community members.
In honor of Fred, Cascade Health Hospice is establishing a lending library at the Pete Moore Hospice House, ensuring his love for reading lives on. We know Fred and Linda’s legacy will inspire others to serve with compassion and dedication.