$10,000 gift is just the latest from loyal volunteers
At Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, it’s a familiar thing—“The gift shop team of volunteers does it again!”
This time, nearly $10,000 in proceeds from the gift shop at MSJ, which is staffed entirely by a contingent of loyal volunteers, outfitted the ER waiting room with a set of 21 new chairs.
Staff of Mount Saint Joseph and St. Paul’s Foundation, as well as members of the MSJ corps of volunteers, were on hand for a plaque presentation and ribbon-cutting ceremony at MSJ. It was fitting that the ceremony fell within National Volunteer Week, which is April 23-29.
“Last year, our gift shop bought the Department of Geriatric Medicine five electric reclining chairs,” said MSJ Volunteer Resources Coordinator, Mary Gallop. “From electric parallel bars for our Medical Unit to Christmas gifts for our extended care residents, each year it’s something wonderful—and without our gift shop volunteers, none of it would be possible.”
Carol Dixon, Director of PHC Volunteer Resources and Mission Services, echoes the value of the team that volunteers so many hours to run the gift shop, thus generating proceeds that help the hospital.
“Our volunteers do a lot of sales in a very small space,” said Carol. “So our gift shop is small but mighty! And all of that time and effort our volunteers put in results in meaningful improvements to Mount Saint Joseph like these new waiting room chairs. From larger items like this, to blankets, clothes or DVD players, our volunteers continue to enhance comfort and care at Mount Saint Joseph.”
Jack Lan, a Clinical Nurse Educator with the MSJ Emergency Room, who first expressed the need for new chairs, spoke to the benefits the new seating arrangements will bring to the families of patients being cared for in the ER.
“These chairs are not just comfortable, they’re very functional and will serve our patients and their families well,” said Jack. “They are light and portable, yet are able to support up to 500 pounds, so they are very safe. The chairs are also part of a new layout for the waiting room which uses the space more economically, so even with 21 chairs now instead of 14, there is still plenty of room for a scooter or wheel chair to accommodate people with limited mobility.”
Mary Sleightholme, of Spiritual Health at MSJ, offered a blessing for the refurbished waiting room.
“With thanksgiving and gratitude, let us thank our volunteers who have helped to enrich the lives of our patients and staff. As ill and anxious patients come through our doors, it is a blessing to have these new chairs, waiting to support people looking for a place to feel safe and cared for, surrounded by caring staff and volunteers, giving us all a sense of community and a feeling of hope.”
To support enhanced patient and resident care at Providence Health Care sites, give to Greatest Needs at St. Paul’s Foundation today.