CHICOPEE — Since 2007 Harmony House has been there for people who are dying. Volunteers help them live out their final days in comfort — playing games with them, chatting or just sitting and watching TV together. That’s just the beginning of what goes on at what Gina Mazza calls a house of love.

“When people are reaching the end of their life and they no longer can stay in their own home or they don‘t have a caregiver, they come and live with us free of charge. We become their family,” said Mazza, who is vice president of Harmony House’s Board of Directors.

Harmony House was founded 15 years ago in Holyoke. After a decade there the group purchased and planned to move into a home in Chicopee where their mission of caring for people who are dying would continue.

“Hospice isn’t there 24/7 and when people are at the end of their life, they need 24/7 care and we’re there to provide it,” said Mazza.

Harmony House can be home to five people at a time. Each has their own bedroom and access to a kitchen, living room, deck and four bathrooms. There is even a non-denominational chapel on the first floor. Best of all, they have companionship at what could be the loneliest time of their life.

“We give residents a quiet place to just sit and reflect. They come and they have a comfortable, safe, loving home,” said Mazza.

Harmony House volunteers cook for residents, launder their clothes and bedding, help them take medicine, brush their teeth or take a bath. Volunteers are also there to play cards, go for walks or sit quietly with someone who needs company.

When Harmony House left Holyoke in 2017, the Board of Directors didn’t plan to open in Chicopee until the home there was fully renovated. That time has come, but Harmony House can’t begin welcoming residents because there is a dire need for volunteers.

“We need an army of volunteers. We are desperate for them. We cannot open until we have an appropriate number of volunteers,” says Mazza.

Harmony House needs just about 100 volunteers to fill 94 shifts each week. At least two volunteers are at the home all the time. Some volunteers are current or former health care workers or have relevant experience. Many do not, and they go through a comprehensive training program.

“People approaching the end of their life don’t want to be alone and we ensure they’re not. There’s always a volunteer sitting with our residents or standing by in another room ready to help,” said Mazza.

Harmony House survives on donations, fundraisers and small government grants. The need is great, but the budget is tight. When the Chicopee home needed to be renovated, volunteer electricians, plumbers, builders and others did the work for free and donated materials.

Mazza said it’s an extraordinary thing to help people pass, to be there for residents nearing death.

“It’s such an intimate time in someone’s life — to be part of that and assist them to a beautiful death. What can be more important? It’s indescribable,” said Mazza.

Some might say a house like Harmony is a sad place. But that’s not true, said Mazza.

“A lot of people think it’s a depressing. Is there sadness when people pass away? Of course. However, the fact that you have been able to be so close to someone at such an important time of their life — I only see joy in the faces of our volunteers. Harmony House is a celebration of life,” she continued.

To learn about volunteering at Harmony House or to make a donation, visit www.HarmonyHouseWMA.org