It was a cold, windy day, but that didn’t keep the Southview volunteers away from their Wintry Wonderland Luncheon in January. Volunteers Services hosted the luncheon to show appreciation to the volunteers and remind them what a vital part of the hospital’s success they truly are.
In 2014, Southview had 79 volunteers serving in virtually every department including: Surgery Waiting/Pre-Op/Recovery, the Information Desk, Gift Shop, Emergency, Joslin Diabetes Center, the Women’s Center, Physical Therapy, Clinical Lab, Infusion, Marketing, and the Craft Club. The volunteers do everything from greeting and directing patients to helping with clerical work. Together, the volunteer force contributed over 9,000 hours to Southview, saving the hospital $205,000.
The majority of volunteers at the luncheon were Craft Club members. Each month the members meet to make thoughtful crafts to bring around to patients at no charge. They also sell their handmade items to the public, most recently at the Christmas Bazaar. The Craft Club gives the proceeds back to the hospital to help support department needs. Recent purchases include gliders and a baby scale in Maternity; a radio, curtain, and hamper for Mammography; and a large monetary contribution to the Women’s Center, making a purchase of a digital mammography machine possible.
Southview’s volunteers touch the lives of our visitors and patients by donating their time, talents, and positive energy. The luncheon was a way of showing them thanks, although truly thanking them is impossible for all they do.
