They may have helped you to your family member’s hospital room or sold you flowers for someone who just had a baby. They might have helped you with paperwork or brought you a cup of coffee while you waited for a loved one to be released from surgery.
They are hospital volunteers – selfless individuals who devote their time to helping those around them.
The hospital currently has 18 volunteers, but is always looking for more.
“Volunteers are welcomed with open arms,” said Kay Spruill, director of volunteer services for the hospital. “It’s a lovely group of people and they’re really committed to helping the community.”
During the past year, the volunteers at the hospital put in a combined 3,796 hours of service. The three top volunteers were Ilia Ramirez with 352 hours, Eva Noto with 634 hours and Maddie Fabre with 650 hours.
John Landry, hospital board chairman, said that volunteers give the hospital a little something extra.
“They put the finishing touch to the hospital’s warmth. They’re so special I can’t say enough good things about them,” Landry said.
Landry said healthcare changes could cause volunteers to become even more important.
“As healthcare changes over the next couple of years, one thing we have to do is try to grow our volunteer group,” he said. “We have to get even more because there will be several cut backs in different areas as we revisit the structure of the operation.”
Most of the volunteers are also very involved with other groups, such as the Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program.
Spruill said she works very hard to make it possible for anyone interested to volunteer.
“A lot of people who are interested in volunteering think that they don’t have the time, but if they want to do it, we work something out. We try to fit a position to the person,” she said.
In order to volunteer, individuals must attend an orientation, fill out a health form with their doctor and take a free Tuberculosis skin test.
While the hospital has not had many young volunteers recently, Spruill said that the hospital is a great place for high school students to earn their community service hours.
“If the students come and do orientation during the summer, then they can (volunteer) later in the school year and they’ve already done orientation,” she said.
Volunteering at the hospital can be a good way for those students interested in a career in healthcare to decide if they want to pursue that field.
“Some think (healthcare) is what they want to do. They may realize it’s exactly what they want to do, or they might find out it’s not for them,” she said. “It can be a wonderful learning opportunity for kids and they’re giving back to the community. It’s a good feeling of doing something worthwhile.”
The hospital’s teen volunteer program is currently accepting applications. It starts on June 14 and ends on August 6. Those interested must be at least 15 years old. Contact Kay Spruill at (985)785-4258 for more information.
Be the first to comment