The Selma Times-Journal

Cahaba Hospice volunteers were quizzed on some interesting topics during a private picnic held in their honor.

Volunteer Coordinator Ellen Traylor asked the 21 volunteers to identify the last three Academy Award winning actors, the last three Pulitzer Prize winners and the top three wealthiest people in the world. The volunteers were encouraged to raise their hands if they knew the answer, but not one hand shot into the air.

“These people are the shining stars in their field, but they’ve all been forgotten,” she said.

Traylor then asked the volunteers to name people in their lives who have been a shoulder to lean on during hard times and taught them valuable lessons. This time, all hands were raised.

“They are the real superstars and that’s what (the volunteers) are,” Traylor said. “I told them if they want to see a superstar, don’t read a magazine or cut on the TV, but look in the mirror.”

The picnic – themed “They are our shining stars” – recognized volunteers for their work inside and outside Cahaba Hospice. Traylor said volunteer tasks include office work and establishing strong relationships with patients and their families. After a patient has passed on, volunteers continue to aid the patient’s family during the bereavement process.

Cahaba Hospice volunteers are Virginia Crowley, Tina Jackson, Bob McDowell, deAnn McGilberry, Carl McMilion, Billie Radford, Bettie Strother, Christine Vaughan, Daniel Martin, Tom McLemore, Jeanne Swanson, Mary Singleton, Nell Fossett, Vaughan Russell, Barbara Hicks, Betty Schroeder, Hanna Berger, Ann Robinson, Betty Grindle, Sally Jordan and Mary Shivers.