George Cox’s journey with Caring Hearts and Hands (CHHC) began with a deeply personal experience. After moving back to Columbia to care for his mother, George found himself searching for compassionate end-of-life care. When his mother’s health declined, he discovered Caring Hearts and Hands—a place that provided comfort, dignity, and a family-like atmosphere during her final hours.
“Everybody in my family who went over there (CHHC) was just so impressed with the atmosphere. You know, nice, comfy bedrooms set up and a nice family room for the whole family to talk… It was actually so much nicer than being in the hospital for the level of care given,” said Cox.
Deeply moved by the care his family received, George was inspired to give back.
Retired and eager to make a difference, George became a volunteer, helping with housework and facilities, and soon joined the board. He values both the hands-on work and the opportunity to help shape the organization’s future,
“It’s an opportunity to be involved. I mean, it’s a family. Everybody’s in there for the right reason, the volunteers, the staff, and people on the board, you know, it’s a passion,” said Cox.
For George, Caring Hearts and Hands is more than a hospice—it’s a community built on empathy, dedication, and a shared mission to support families during difficult times.
George’s vision is to help the organization grow, reaching more people in need. He believes that every volunteer and staff member is there for the right reasons, and he encourages others to get involved, knowing firsthand the impact their time and support can have.
“It was and is something that I really needed, and so I can imagine there are a lot of people out there who really need it. So to me, it’s become something that I want to help grow, make, make our services more available to people.”
To become a volunteer like George, reach out to Deb Portell (dportellseven@gmail.com) or visit the Caring Hearts and Hands website to learn more about how you can make a difference today.
