“No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another.” Harold Courtois, Memorial Health System CEO, read this quote by an unknown author to start off his ‘Year in Review’ speech at the Annual Volunteer Banquet held on November 3, 2022. Memorial Health System (MHS) is fortunate to have a group of wonderful volunteers that make this quote true every day!
The Memorial Health System Volunteer Corps is led by Volunteer Director, McKenzie Funston. She has filled this position for a little over a year now, and has been a great addition to the corps team working alongside Wendy Klosterman, MHS Volunteer Corp President. McKenzie helps operate the Caring Hearts Gift Shop which is open every weekday, and offers a wide variety of merchandise from gifts to snacks items. She also helps coordinate fundraising events and special meetings for the volunteers, keeps track of volunteer hours, and performs an array of other administrative duties for the corps.
McKenzie shared some impressive numbers at the annual meeting; one being the total hours that have been served by the volunteers through August for the year 2022. That number was 3,624.52. The majority of those hours were spent at the front of the hospital at the Information Desk or working at Caring Hearts Gift Shop. Volunteers also serve in other capacities, such as working on the craft committee, card committee, working with the youth who have an interest in healthcare and visit MHS to observe, and working at Village Manor or Impact Sports and Fitness.
Volunteers also participate in fundraising events, and some of the money earned is given to departments every year at an event they call Gifting Time. Departments are allowed to submit a gift proposal for items that they may need or want for their departments. In previous years, the volunteers have given as much as $20,000 through Gifting Time.
McKenzie also tracks total years and lifetime hours that each individual gives to MHS.
Volunteers recognized for their years of service at the 2022 annual meeting were five-year award winners: Shirl Carrier, Mary Leach, Linda Padgett, Sue Robson, and Marilyn Spencer. There was one 10-year award winner, Elaine Sears; one 15-year award winner, Joyce Lady; and one 30-year award winner, Carol Wenger.
Those volunteers who have given a total of lifetime hours between 1,000 and 1,999 hours are: Linda Duncan (1,378.80), Naoma Foltz (1,815.80), Wendy Klosterman (1,706.50), Mary Leach (1,615.80), Linda Padgett (1,898.80), Sally Robson (1,026), and Phyllis Welton (1,193.85). Serving over 2,000 hours were: Evelyn Carter (3,241.80), Marge Green (2,814.50), and Elaine Walters (4,367.30). Joan Marshall has volunteered a total of 8,042.80 hours, and Delphine Holston had the most total hours given at 11,437. That is equal to a person working a full-time job of 40 hours a week for 5.5 years. All of these volunteers mentioned deserve a huge applause and MHS is so thankful for each and every one of them!
If you are interested in joining this group of very special volunteers, McKenzie Funston, Director of Volunteer Services, would love to hear from you. Please call 785-263-6692 for more information!