35,000 Hours of Service in 2006
DANVILLE, VA - (May 2, 2007) - Danville Regional Medical Center today said thank you to 250 volunteers who worked 35,000 hours last year.
If those volunteers had been paid at a rate of $10 an hour, for example, the cost to the Medical Center would have been $350,000.
"The volunteers provide a wonderful service," said Art Doloresco, Chief Executive Officer of Danville Regional. "And they do it with enthusiasm. Their presence has an uplifting effect on patients, employees and physicians."
A total of 10 volunteers received recognition at the luncheon, working more than 500 hours in 2006. Anita Bray worked more hours than any volunteer in 2006, 1,330. Others who were recognized were: Virginia Powell, 1285 hours; Virginia Brooks ,1127 hours; Eileen Best, 1081 hours; Aliene Collins, 878 hours; Mildred Collins , 843 hours; Alice McDonald, 815 hours; Scottie Giles, 794 hours; Tom West, 645 hours; and Henry Willard, 533 hours.
Willard holds the current record for hours worked. He has volunteered a total of 29,900 hours since l986.
Most volunteers deliver interoffice and patient mail and flowers to patient rooms, staff the information desk and serve as liaison in the surgical waiting room, said Rebecca Bolton, Volunteer Services Director.
Florists in Danville donated table decorations, and the Medical Center gave each volunteer a gift in addition to lunch. Doloresco distributed awards to volunteers.
"As volunteers, we have an opportunity to make a difference by coming together and helping all those that come through the doors of our medical center," said Bernice Elliott, president of the auxiliary. "As we go about our duties, we see how fortunate we are to have such an up-to-date medical center and outstanding physicians right here at home."
Director of the department since 1985, Bolton said she receives many compliments from patients, visitors and new employees about the volunteer program. "We are advocates for the medical center in the community," she said. The total number of 250 volunteers has remained constant for the past five years.
