On any given day, walking into Hospice Huntsville feels like you’re walking into the home of a good friend. It’s an even sweeter entry when chef Eric Gagnon is in, as the smell of his delicious meals greet you at the door.
Gagnon started volunteering his time twice a week last November to come in and prepare a home-cooked meal for Hospice Huntsville’s residents and family members.
“My oldest son, he’s six, has non-verbal autism and we use a lot of services in the community like Hands, One Kids Place and Community Living,” said Gagnon. “Where I work slows down between the end of October and April, so I have the time to give back to the community.”
Even though his work at Port Cunnington Lodge will start picking up again, Gagnon will continue to volunteer one day a week during the summer months.
When researching places to volunteer in Huntsville, Gagnon thought Hospice Huntsville would be a good fit.
“By nature I’m actually quite shy and I used to dread even going out in the dining room and meeting people (while working). So this is helping me get out there more and break down some of that shyness,” said Gagnon. “I like coming here. It keeps me from getting rusty and I can try new things. It’s only four hours a week out of my time. I would encourage other people to come volunteer. The major excuse is that ‘I don’t have time’. But people do have time if they break it down.”
Gagnon started cooking at a young age. When he was in high school he was debating a career as an electrical engineer or a chef. The indoor comforts of cooking helped Gagnon solidfy his choice. He’s earned his Red Seal.
“We’re happy to have him,” said Melissa Polischuk, fundraising and public relations coordinator with Hospice Huntsville. “It’s a wonderful service and adds to the whole ambiance of being at home.”
If you would like to sponsor a home-cooked meal for residents and their family members at Hospice Huntsville, visit www.hospicehuntsville.com/donate-2/wish-list/ (wish list item number HS04) or phone 705-789-6878 to see how you can give.
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This is so lovely! What an awesome person.
Beautiful, beautiful story ~ people like Eric make the world a better place ~ thank you.
Watching Eric in the kitchen is such a pleasure and when the meals are ready you would think you were in a 1st class dining room. Hospice makes everyone feel welcome and “at home”
This wonderful man, has no idea what he does for families who are experiencing the emotional upheaval, losing a loved one……The smells that comes from his kitchen, on these days are unbelievable. On the particular Wednesday that we were spending our last hours with our Mom, Eric prepared the most delicious Vegetarian lasagna that we had ever tasted….although none of us thought that we felt like eating, the aroma drew us like moths to flame. We all very much needed that meal, as we hadn’t eaten properly in days…Huntsville is so blessed to have such a wonderful end of life facility, and then to have such a caring volunteer, is like the icing on the cake. I am so proud to call Huntsville my home….Thanks Eric and all of the other many volunteers!! Wendy & Dan McConnell & family