Don Burns

Much of Don Burns’ work for KCH&PC involves measuring, cutting and building—which seems fitting. Because as a volunteer, KCH&PC staff members say he more than measures up.

“Don Burns goes above and beyond the call in the volunteer category,” says Rebecca Jones, administrative secretary. “No matter the task, from ramp-building to checking in the latest medical supplies to putting together packets for admission, Don is the ‘git r done’ man.”

Don began volunteering for KCH&PC in 1991 after hospice representatives came to his church and described the volunteer needs. Don’s handyman skills were very much in demand. Over the years, he has built wheelchair ramps for hospice patients. Ramps can cost hundreds of dollars, resources many families didn’t have. The ramps can take as many as 40 hours of labor to construct and install, Don says.

Carpentry and woodworking have been lifelong hobbies of Don’s. He creates intricate ornamental eggs out of many types of wood and gives them to charities to sell or auction. Don carves religious symbols in some eggs to symbolize Jesus’ birth and baptism parables. One egg can take 25 hours or more to create, he says.

“Carpentry came easy for me,” Don says. “My brother is handy with tools. So were my dad and ancestors. It just feels natural to me.”

He and his wife, Margaret, helped complete the interior of the house they built in Raytown in 1956. The two were married 57 years, until she died in 2005. Don still lives in the house they built, the house where they raised their two daughters.

His knowledge as an engineer helps him when making minor household repairs. He worked for small manufacturing companies in his home state of Nebraska, and then Raytown, for more than 50 years before retiring. He also offers his considerable handyman skills to the Shepherd’s Center of Raytown, a nonprofit organization helping seniors.

“My goal in life is to help people,” Don says. “I keep volunteering because there is need.”

Don has served KCH&PC in a variety of ways. He occasionally provides transportation for patients, answers calls for 11^th-hour vigils, provides respite and has even taught newly bereaved to drive. One afternoon a week, he goes into the office to stock medical supplies and assembles literature and marketing packets.

Rebecca Jones, who has worked with Don in the hospice office for about five years, says she sincerely enjoys working with him. “Thanks is never enough for all he does,” she says. “I want to thank him for a job not only well done, but above and beyond what we could ask. He is the example of all that volunteering could possibly encompass."

Kathy Fetters, volunteer coordinator, agrees: "When I think of Don, I think of heart, service and the best hugs ever. He is so kind and always about helping others."

                                                            Article contributed by Amber Stenger, Volunteer