“Volunteering at Tidewell was just necessary for us to give back.”

Even among the dedicated volunteers at Tidewell, Terry and Colette Purcell stand out for their commitment. In the last six years, they’ve done a bit of everything, always ready to jump in wherever needed. Together, they’ve accumulated hundreds of volunteer hours – as part-time residents!

Terry’s most visible contribution may be in the Tidewell Honors Veterans program. As a veteran himself, Terry takes special pride in officiating special pinning ceremonies to honor veteran hospice patients and celebrate their service. He didn’t even let COVID stop him: he presided over pinning ceremonies in full PPE.

Characteristically, Terry sees his service as a duty. “Volunteering at Tidewell was just necessary for us to give back. We’re blessed to be able to be here, and for us to just sit back on our laurels and enjoy the nice days, and not share our talents or abilities with others – that would be a huge mistake.

“I have never met a more amazing, more dedicated, enthusiastic, and devoted group of people than the colleagues that work for Tidewell. To be able to be a part of what they bring to our patients and their families and to the community… Inspiration is there, just by walking out the door with that Tidewell badge around my neck.”