A sweet treat can make any birthday complete.

Camellia Healthcare Hospice and their volunteers have made sure their patients are taken care of every year with cakes and cupcakes to put a little happy in their birthday.

“The ones who have been on our service for a while, they know that they’re getting a cake on their birthday,” volunteer coordinator Julie Miley-Bounds said about the patients looking forward to their dessert and sometimes even calling in advance to make a request.

Patients who live at home get a cake on their birthday and those that live in a nursing home get a monthly cupcake party. The volunteers average six cakes and five dozen cupcakes a month — depending on the number of birthdays in the month.

Wednesday the “Camellia Cupcake Crew” led by Miley-Bounds was preparing to take 250 cupcakes to a health fair in Port Gibson — the most she has ever attempted at one time.

Professional volunteers Shaheena Haque of Vicksburg and Mary Pope of Port Gibson speak to Camellia patients on the phone weekly. Both women, along with other volunteers, visit the patients as often as they can, cook for them, deliver crafts or flowers and send cards for special occasions.

“They each are very, very active in volunteering with several organizations,” Miley-Bounds said.

Pope enjoys her time cooking and caring for the hospice patients. She tries to cook something every week to be delivered to patients.

“They are so appreciative,” Pope said.

Haque was hesitant to begin volunteering at hospice because she thought it would be a depressing job to have, but she joined the team after a friend encouraged her and she is glad she did. She feels like she is making a difference in the patients’ lives by letting them know someone is there for them.

“It’s so emotionally satisfying talking to these people,” Haque said.

Miley-Bounds calls the volunteer department the fun side of hospice. It is her mission to make the patients and their families smile and celebrate life instead of being depressed.

“We try to do things to cheer up the patient and the families and to give them some support,” Miley-Bounds said.

Camellia is having a cake mix and frosting drive and will accept boxed cake mixes, canned frosting, cupcake liners, sprinkles and decorations. Donations can be dropped of at 2080 South Frontage Road Suite 103, or arrangements can be made for pick-up by calling 601-501-7688.