For those veterans who attend the veterans coffee events sponsored by Hospice & Palliative CareCenter and Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care, Don Timmons may be a familiar face. He is also instrumental in planning and coordinating the events saluting veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the upcoming Saluting Women Veterans scheduled for June 10 (see sidebar for additional information). He truly has a heart for service, especially for veterans. Like many who enjoy giving back to their community through their work or volunteer efforts, he’s not one to talk about himself much. He’d rather listen to others and talk about what’s planned for veterans.
Don is a veteran and served in the Army for two years with a tour of duty in Vietnam and Cambodia during 1969-1970. He served in the artillery with the First Infantry Division, 11thArmored Calvary. He was at Ft. Knox, Kentucky for his basic training and Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for advanced individual training. When honorably discharged from the Army, he was a Specialist – Fifth Class. He is proud of his service and that his family has a long history of service to our country.
After leaving the Army, he owned a business with his wife for a number of years. He had a strong interest in non-profit work and volunteered for nine years with the Make-A-Wish organization, becoming a staff member for four years. He also served on the board of Big Brother/Big Sisters and served twice in a big brother role. Don shared that one of his little brothers went on to join the US Marine Corps as his life’s plan.
Although semi-retired, Don shared he wanted to do something in the community, something that would make a difference. He found it. Don is now the Community Partnership & Veterans Support Coordinator with Hospice & Palliative CareCenter and Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care, and has been with the organization for 4 ½ years.
The veterans coffee events, which began about four years ago, are held monthly in 13 counties. “We found that these coffees continue to grow; they’re therapeutic for the veterans, they’re not political in any way, and are a way for veterans to get together in a comfortable, friendly environment,” said Don. “One of our objectives is to make sure veterans are aware of our services. We do so much in the community, from advance care planning, to providing hospice care, and extensive grief counseling, and most of services are at no cost,” he added. “We began inviting other organizations in to raise awareness about their services for veterans, too.” The coffees have become a place for fellowship and have developed a life of their own.
“The veteran community has come to treasure our coffees and special events; and the relationships that have been established as a result seem as deeply rooted as lifelong friendships. We want all the veterans we connect with to be well informed about our supportive care and programs. We also love how our coffees have connected veterans to one another, ” Ann Gauthreaux, Regional Director of Public Relations, Hospice & Palliative CareCenter and Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care shared.
For additional information about the services provided by Hospice & Palliative CareCenter and Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care, contact them at 336.768.3972, or visit their website at HospiceCareCenter.org. For more information about the veteran coffees and other veteran programs, contact Don Timmons at 336.331.1309 or Don.Timmons@hospicecarecenter.org. The veteran coffees are open to all veterans and are a wonderful opportunity to share a part of your life that no one but another veteran would understand. Join them at the next veteran coffee near you!
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SPECIAL EVENT: Saluting Women Veterans
WHEN: Sunday, June 10, 2018
WHERE: The Benton Convention Center
301 West 5thSt., Winston-Salem, NC
TIME: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
CHECK-IN /RECEPTION: Starts at 3:00 pm
COST: Free to female veterans and one guest.
Additional reservations $40.00 each
RSVP: 336.768.6157 (extension 1622)
Meet other fellow veterans at a special event, just for you, with a group photo, dinner, program, and entertainment. Join us as we celebrate and thank you for your service!
