Red Bluff Daily News Special Publications
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/528045
"Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received— only what you have given." — St. Francis of Assisi They're students; former pilots and flight attendants; retired nurses, teachers, Wall Street inves- tors, and human resource officers. They're teenagers, adult men and women, and treasured elders in their 90s. Who are they? They're the more than 400 people giving back to their beloved communities— Redding, Red Bluff and Mt. Shasta—as volunteers with Dignity Health North State's three hospitals. Here, two veterans with St. Elizabeth Community Hospital's volunteer Auxiliary talk about this rewarding work. It's a win-win Pat Miller has volunteered some 1,000 hours with the Auxiliary, doing everything from working Giving the gift of time at the front desk to welcoming day-surgery patients—and from providing office support to helping with fundraising. "Last year, we raised funds to buy wheelchairs, books for expect- ant mothers— even a $29,000 mobile support unit to help emer- gency teams save lives," Pat says. "You can actually see the difference you make in the community." Auxiliary volunteer Karen Mc- Farland agrees. "You're adding something that wouldn't be there otherwise. And our hospital is so valuable to our community, I'll do anything I can to support it." She loves interacting with patients, with the "nicest staff ever," and with the other volunteers—a group she deems compassionate, cohe- sive, and committed. In more than 3,800 hours volun- teering, Karen has been a patient liaison, worked in the gift shop, Pat Miller HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS 200 dozen The number of cookies St. Elizabeth Community Hospital Auxiliary members baked in 2014 to sell at their annual Christmas Cookie Extravaganza. 18,000 The number of passengers Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta Auxiliary members have transported to the hospital for appointments. 710 The number of teddy bears the Mercy Medical Center Redding Guild gifted Redding kids at the 2014 Teddy Bear Festival. and served as Auxiliary Board President. She also created www.sechvolunteers.com, a website where potential volun- teers can learn more. Of course, giving back isn't the only good reason to volunteer. "There's a lot of satisfaction in helping others," Pat says. "But it can also be a stress relief, a reason to get up in the morning, and a way to get to know your community and make lifelong friends. Besides, it's fun. It's a win-win." Karen McFarland Come join us! Visit mercy.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities at the three Dignity Health North State hospitals. Or call: � Mercy Medical Center Redding 530.225.7550 � St. Elizabeth Community Hospital 530.529.8038 � Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta 530.926.7147 10 2015 - Tehama County Medical Guide