Ray Taylor Nominated 2011 Volunteer of the Year

HNC AUXILIARY FOUNDING MEMBER RAY TAYLOR NAMED 2011 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR –
WILL BE HONORED AT NOVEMBER 10TH NORTH COUNTY PHILANTHROPY COUNCIL LUNCHEON

Carlsbad, CA … Raymond (Ray) Taylor, a nonagenarian and founding member of the Hospice of the North Coast (HNC) Auxiliary in 1989, has been named HNC’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year. He will be honored at the North County Philanthropy Council luncheon on November 10, 2011 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.

In addition to helping found the Auxiliary, Taylor, who resides in Oceanside, served as a patient care volunteer for nearly two decades, working with HNC’s first AIDS patients. He also served as the Auxiliary’s health fair representative for several years. He is described by HNC staff and clients as a man with a heart of gold and a great sense of humor; both qualities are indispensable in the field of hospice.

Taylor was introduced to hospice while teaching secondary education in Glendale. He recalls, “The father of a friend was dying. Whenever I visited, I saw a very compassionate woman with the family. I assumed she was a concerned neighbor, but I later learned she was with something called hospice. I thought, ‘That seems like a nice job; something I could do when I retire.’ When I retired in 1983, I trained under the Visiting Nurse Program and became a patient care volunteer in L.A., continuing my work when I moved to North County.”

HNC Board Chair Bobbie Hoder, who has known Taylor since she joined the Board in 2005, states, “Ray Taylor is the embodiment of why hospice is so highly regarded in our society. He is a ‘gentle man’ who puts helping others above self. His dedication and desire to serve are shining examples for each of us.”

Taylor, a man who is as modest as he is valuable to HNC and its clients, says, “I feel like a breath of fresh air coming into the lives of families. My goal is always to be a ‘Ray’ of sunshine during a family’s difficult days.”
North County Philanthropy Council (www.ncphilanthropy.org) is an association of professionals, board members and volunteers of nonprofit organizations serving area communities. Its mission is to provide education and training in fundraising and leadership development, promoting values of philanthropy, fostering communication among those in the nonprofit sector and recognizing individuals whose efforts make a difference.

Nonprofit Hospice of the North Coast was established in 1980 to fill the need for comprehensive, compassionate hospice care in North County San Diego. Since its inception, it has grown in services, staff and clients; it currently provides a full spectrum of programs to terminally ill clients and their families, including bereavement support. To fulfill its mission of maintaining dignity, comfort and highest quality of life for those it serves, regardless of ability to pay, HNC hosts fundraising events, operates a family support camp and resale shop, and maintains a cadre of volunteers.