July
2004
For the next few months, I would like to devote this column to a very special kind of volunteer work--that which involves helping out in medical facilities. You probably know that when you are admitted into the hospital you are often introduced to a rather alien world in which you may feel you are without friends. It is so nice to see a volunteer who understands the workings of a hospital, but speaks layman’s English.
Since it is closest to the beginning of the alphabet, we will talk this month about the Covenant Health System. Charley Trimble, President and CEO of Covenant Health System, feels very strongly that many departments within the system could not function without volunteers and he would like to see many more volunteers in areas throughout the hospitals. You probably know why I use the plural term “hospitals”. The Covenant System is actually two hospitals combined. In 1998, a merger took place between formerly Methodist Hospital and St. Mary Hospital, creating Covenant Health System. Covenant Medical Center took the name previously known as Methodist Hospital System and Covenant Lakeside was the new name for St. Mary Hospital. These two facilities together are the fifth largest health care facility in Texas and the largest in the Western half of the state, serving approximately 1.2 million people. It is a major referral center – ˝ of their patients come from outside the county. They have about 1000 beds that are highly occupied and both facilities have need for volunteers in various categories. At Lakeside, you may work at the Information Desk 1st Floor, Gift Shop, Outpatient Surgery, Escort/Messenger (delivery of mail and flowers as well as admitting and dismissing patients in wheelchairs), Surgery Waiting Room, or at the Medical Office Building Information Desk. Covenant Medical Center volunteers will be trained to work at the Information Desk 1st Floor,
Emergency Room Information Desk, Gift Shop, Messenger (delivery of mail, plants and sells newspapers), Endoscopy – front desk, Surgery Waiting Room Information Desk, Surgical Intensive Care Waiting Room Info Desk, Medical Intensive Care Waiting Room Info Desk, and the Heart Center Info Desk. Volunteers in all areas have seen a patient’s face light up when they come in the door. They have seen the grateful expression when the right family is found for a phone call in SICU or MICU. The Gift shops are also a fun place to work as you help visitors get just the right treat for the hospitalized friend or family member.
When you work in the Covenant Health System, the LifeStyles Center (second to none) offers the same discounts to the auxiliary as their employees, which is $24 a month. Auxiliary dues are very nominal: $4.00 a year or $100 for a lifetime membership. Jackets are $20.00, and immediately designate you as a volunteer who is there to help. Hospital volunteering will make a difference in your life. As you help others, you also get to know the workings of a large hospital that may help you a great deal should you have to be hospitalized yourself. It’s just one of those win/win situations that does not have a down side.
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
BREEDLOVE DEHYDRATION
CENTER, North MLK and Loop 289, would appreciate a volunteer receptionist who could answer the phone and greet their many visitors from 11:30 until 3:00 any day you could help out. This is the only vegetable dehydration facility in the world solely dedicated to providing products to those who cannot provide food for themselves. Visitors from all over the world want to see how this is done and you will be there to welcome them.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY, at the Mahon Library, would love some help in sorting books for their annual book sale the end of October. Sorting is done from 2-8:30 pm Tues., 9-noon on Wed. and Thurs., and 9-3 on Sat. The sale benefits the Lubbock Public Library. If you have a love of books, come and spend some time arranging a wealth of information.
To volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.
HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or Bonne Phillips about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the
enrollment form
(requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!
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