Every volunteer has a unique story on how they came to support the causes they do. For Bob Porter, it was a mix of personal experience and chance that led him to Navian Hawaii. Prior to volunteering with Navian, Bob was familiar with various hospice programs through his work at the VA as well as helping his parents along their end-of-life journeys. Somewhere along the way, Bob received a newsletter from Navian Hawaii with a call for volunteers. His experiences had triggered a desire to help individuals going through similar situations, and right in front of him was an opportunity to fulfill it. He accepted the call and began his training in September 2021. Since then, Bob has put in many hours making sure that our patients and their families receive the love, attention and quality care they deserve. 

Bob wears a few different hats at Navian. He is a friend, who spends quality time with patients; a voice of compassion, checking in with patients’ loved ones to aid the grieving process; and a helping hand, who calls caregivers and patients on Thursdays to ensure they have all the supplies needed to get them through the weekend. 

“Bob Porter is a wonderful new member of the volunteer team. He not only visits one of our patients weekly to provide companionship, but also helps out at the office twice a week making phone calls for our bereavement department and for the tuck-in call program,” said Eumie, Navian Hawaii’s volunteer coordinator. “Bob is fully committed to helping our patients and their families, and we are so grateful for his devotion and compassionate care. Mahalo, Bob!”

Volunteering with Navian Hawaii has brought Bob happiness and peace knowing that he can be a source of hope and light, even during some of the darkest times. Bob encourages anyone who is interested in Navian’s mission to become a volunteer. He says it has helped him deal with his own grief and is a great way to create meaningful connections with people from all walks of life. 

Navian Hawaii has volunteers working in almost every department. They bring enthusiasm and dedication that money cannot buy. New volunteers are accepted on an on-going basis to satisfy the ever changing needs of Navian Hawaii and the patients we serve.