I started volunteering there just after my mother passed away. We had gone on the tour at the hospice but unfortunately mom never made it there. They offer so many things for people who are grieving or need help along the way. So, I wanted to help support them by volunteering.

I grew up in Port Coquitlam then moved to Chilliwack to retire. I love it here. I am married with one daughter. In my spare time I love keeping busy knitting, sewing, acrylic and water painting, but my main passion is fused glass.

Juliana Verde

Hello, my name is Juliana, and I have been volunteering at Cascade Hospice since the beginning of 2024. My heart has always felt pulled toward caring for others. Being involved with the Chilliwack Hospice Society has provided me with a variety of training and volunteer opportunities that have enabled me to care for others in a more meaningful way. I value the connection I get to share with clients and their loved ones, and I appreciate being able to offer comfort and companionship in their experiences.

I am currently a student working towards a career in the human services field. My husband and teenagers have been very supportive as I have embraced my new role as a student, and we’ve all had the added benefit of having to strengthen our life-balancing skills. We enjoy spending time together outdoors and never miss an opportunity for a good marshmallow roast around a cozy fire.

I love working at the Thrifty Boutique doing displays, working the floor, and dressing mannequins. I also love the other volunteers, and meeting customers…some have become good friends.

I have been married over 50 years to my soul mate and have two wonderful and successful sons. I also have a beautiful granddaughter and a wonderful grandson. My husband and I enjoy driving our hot rods on rod runs.

In a former life, I worked in retail merchandising and for me, the fashion area was a natural fit. Thrifty Boutique allowed me to transition from employment to retirement and I’m enjoying every minute of it. I had heard many great things about Thrifty Boutique and they’re all true. Having volunteered for numerous organizations in the past, this is the most rewarding and fulfilling.

I’m a mom of three and a grandmom of seven. My spare moments are spent with my husband, Richard, my kids, grandkids, and my dog. Reading, Zumba, and yoga are my passions. In the fall, I hope to enroll in a couple of college classes and polish up my tap-dancing shoes.

In my business life, I am in a partnership with my husband and son as real estate agents. We recently opened our own satellite Re/Max office in Yarrow. It’s kind of a boutique too! Our only child is married with a beautiful wife and two gorgeous daughters who call me Nani! They are my pride and joy!

While not working, I enjoy walking with friends, working out at the gym and spending much time with my family! I feel blessed to have met such incredible people from my life journey so far and look forward to many more years of volunteering at the best little store around.

I have met a lot of people volunteering and have made some wonderful friends who also volunteer. I am privileged to work with great staff members Sandy, Stephanie, Lily and Danika to mention a few.

I have been married to my husband George for 37 wonderful years and together we have a daughter, a son, and two grandsons. In my spare time I enjoy walking my puppy, cooking, knitting, and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Hi, our names are Jim and Jan. We have been volunteering at the Thrifty Boutique since 2013. We are one of the many husband and wife teams currently volunteering at the store. I work in the décor department and Jim helps in many areas of the store. We both enjoy helping make Thrifty Boutique successful while working with wonderful people.

We feel this is the best kept store in Chilliwack and it has given us the opportunity to give back for the wonderful life we have led. Jim and I have been married for 57 years, we have two daughters and four grandchildren. When we are not working at the store, we enjoy spending time with our grandchildren, traveling, dining, and enjoying life and family.

Abdominal breathing, also known as diaphragmatic breathing, is a powerful way to decrease stress by activating relaxation centers in the brain. The abdominal expansion causes negative pressure to pull blood into the chest, improving the venous flow of blood back to the heart.

Five Steps to Mindful Breathing

1. Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down, with your feet slightly apart, one hand on your abdomen near the navel, and the other hand on your chest.
2. Gently exhale the air in your lungs through your mouth, then inhale slowly through your nose to count of four, pushing out your abdomen slightly and concentrating on your breath. As you breathe in, imagine warm air flowing all over your body. Hold the breath for a count of at least four but not more than seven.
3. Slowly exhale through your mouth while counting to eight. Gently contract your abdominal muscles to completely release the remaining air in the lungs.
4. Repeat until you feel deeply relaxed for a total of five cycles. You may be able to do only one or two cycles at first.
5. Once you feel comfortable with your ability to breathe into the abdomen, it is not necessary to use your hands on your abdomen and chest.

There may be an added benefit of lowering blood pressure when you place your tongue on the ridge of the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth.

Mindful breathing is just one of many techniques practiced in the Chilliwack Hospice Society Relaxation Program. To learn more about the complementary therapies offered, follow this link.

Hi, my name is Johnny Battaglio. I started volunteering at Chilliwack Hospice Society in 2010, along with my wife Renee who was on the Relaxation team. We also volunteered together at the Cascade Hospice. When Renee was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, I became her main caregiver; I learned how to administer all her medication and provided her with loving care in our home. I will always remember the day close to the time of Renee’s passing, when a large group of friends from Chilliwack Hospice Society came to our home to provide Renee with loving support. It was such a special time and so appreciated. Renee passed away at home on Sep 11, 2019. This was right at the beginning of COVID-19, so a lot of the in-person supports at Chilliwack Hospice Society weren’t happening at that time. However, I was able to join the Supportive Walking Group, which was a big help to me during this very difficult time.

In 2022, I decided to take the Basic Hospice Training course once again as a refresher. I am now happy to be volunteering back at the Cascade Hospice Residence, and I also volunteer for the Supportive Walking Group. I really enjoy being at the Hospice supporting those who are at the end of life, and their families. This gives my life purpose, and it is very meaningful for me to be able to use the experience that I gained through my own personal journey. I feel that I now have a much greater understanding of grief and loss, and I love to be able to use this experience to help others. I’ve learned a lot about communication through my past working years in Business Management and a volunteer position with the Crisis Line, one of the most important things I‘ve learned is to just be there to listen.

I’ve been fortunate in my life to travel the world extensively, enjoying many places such as Britain, Europe, Africa, Mexico, and traveling throughout most of the USA on my motorcycle. There are many things in life that I enjoy such as friends, family, walking, hiking, biking, Tai chi, yoga, meditating, art, playing the flute, taking care of my fish and plants, kayaking, sailing, motorcycling and horses. I am originally from Toronto, Ontario and moved to BC.  I am fortunate to have two sons and two daughters, and seven grandchildren.

I am an immigrant from South Africa. I’ve been in Canada for 22 years now, and two years here in Chilliwack. In my spare time, I love to knit, crochet, and do resin art. I have 4 grown children who are all married now, and I’m a very happy grandma.