By Staff
BRIDGMAN – Lakeland HealthCare honored the 611 area residents who donate their time to the organization on Wednesday, April 30, at a luncheon held at Pebblewood Country Club in Bridgman. The Lakeland management team served the volunteers in an expression of their thanks for the many hours of service the volunteers donated.
"You deserve our deep respect and thanks for the selfless gifts you give," said Linda Fites, Manager of Volunteers and Chaplaincy for Lakeland HealthCare. "The time, energy, skills and talents you generously give, again and again, are priceless. Your efforts and dedication help make our organization better, our community stronger, and our world brighter."
Lakeland volunteers staff the Health Resource Libraries, hold fundraisers, greet visitors to the hospitals at the information desk, provide chaplaincy support, decorate for the holidays, serve meals, host activities, and teach classes, among other services.
At the luncheon, 36 volunteers were honored for reaching their first milestone of service, 100 hours. In addition, six Lakeland Volunteers received "Twenty Year Club" awards: Jan Houseman of Niles; Thelma Brown and Ernie Shaff of St. Joseph; and Betty Murphy, Fran Porter, and Helen Root of Berrien Center.
This year, the volunteer who accumulated the most hours during her years of service was Elaine Chaudoir, who has donated more than 27,000 hours. She has donated her time in a variety of ways, including as the chairperson and buyer for the Corner Cupboard gift shop at Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center.
For 2007, Lakeland HealthCare's 611 volunteers across the entire system contributed 94,009 hours of service. In total, 50,733 volunteer hours were donated to Lakeland's St. Joseph facilities; 9,898 hours to Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center; and 24,691 to Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles.
The total number of hours donated by volunteers at all Lakeland locations is equivalent to the time worked by more than 50 full-time staff members. The volunteers' contributions are worth a total value of more than $1 million to Lakeland HealthCare.
"Lakeland strives to provide great service and quality, and compassionate care," said Joseph Wasserman, President and CEO of Lakeland HealthCare. "This goal could never be reached without the support of our volunteers and the difference their presence makes to our patients and visitors."