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Brockville General Hospital |
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News Release |
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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Volunteers are Heartbeat of Brockville General Hospital “They really love the work they do,” Volunteer Association president says BROCKVILLE – When Maureen Overy first moved to Brockville in 1975, she was looking for a way to meet new friends – and she found it at Brockville General Hospital. Mrs. Overy, one of the hospital’s 300 volunteers, recalls seeing a flyer calling for volunteers. “When I moved here from Montreal, I didn’t know anybody at all,” she says. “I thought, I will go and see what is going on.” She discovered that BGH provided a wide range of possibilities – from visiting with stroke patients to serving coffee to visitors to raising funds for hospital equipment. “I also found that it was very, very rewarding,” she says. “You are making the day a bit brighter for somebody.” Despite having two children at home during the early years of volunteering, she managed to continue volunteering for most of the years since moving to the area. Mrs. Overy has served in many roles, including co-convener of the café at the Charles Street Site and volunteer representative on the Residents and Family Friends Association at the Garden Street Site. Next month, she will assume the role of Volunteer Association president, a position she previously held in 2000-2002. During Volunteer Week April 19 to 25, Mrs. Overy will be one of many volunteers who will be invited to a special recognition tea being held at the hospital. BGH has more than 300 volunteers, including approximately 240 at the Charles Street site – including Spiritual Care volunteers – and 80 Palliative Care volunteers at the Garden Street Site. Volunteers are the heartbeat of Brockville General Hospital and come from many backgrounds. Carole Crump, who began volunteering four years ago, had worked as a cashier at BGH and started volunteering after her retirement. She is now the association treasurer, a buyer for the gift shop and a greeter at the information desk along with her husband Allan. “I enjoy helping the people,” she says. “We direct them to where they have to go and help find wheelchairs. We always try to be helpful and pleasant.” Marla Gilliland, the current Volunteer Association president, says the volunteers really do help patients. “I am always humbled by the dedication of our volunteers,” she says. “They are the first face people see when they come into the hospital. A welcoming smile and helpful hand puts people at ease.” She is amazed by the many hours the volunteers work. “They really love the work they do.” That’s certainly the case for Hugh Bates, a former school principal who works at the coffee shop, called Eleanor’s Café, every Wednesday morning with his wife Gloria. On Mondays, Mr. Bates works in the day surgery area, bringing patients juice and cookies or wheeling people down to the doors when they are ready to leave. “I enjoy it,” he says. “You meet a lot of people.” He added that he also enjoys the staff at BGH. “They are a good group, excellent to work with.” Mr. Bates is also vice-chairman of the Board of Governors and previously served as president of the Volunteer Association. Mrs. Crump also enjoys the atmosphere at BGH – “it’s like a family” – and recommends volunteering to anyone who enjoys meeting the public. The Brockville General Volunteer Association always welcomes new volunteers; to get involved, please call 613-345-5645 ext. 1254 or email bghvolunteer@bgh-on.ca. Currently, the association is looking for volunteers to help with patient care such as visiting patients, bringing ice water, assisting during mealtimes or helping with recreation therapy or spiritual care. Licensed hairdressers are also needed to cut or set patients’ hair on a volunteer basis. Other volunteers are needed to help in the café or gift shops. Proceeds from the café and gift shops are donated to the hospital to buy needed items, which has recently included wheelchairs, furniture for a patient lounge, equipment for the new Brockville Cardiovascular Program, a monitor for an operating room, infant care equipment and a pain control pump. The Brockville General Volunteer Association is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Volunteers and area dignitaries will be invited to a special Garden Party on Aug. 19 at the Robb Farm near Lyn. - 30 -
CUTLINES Photos: Christine Endicott/BGH
Maureen Overy, the incoming Brockville General Volunteer Association president, says the new art gallery at the BGH Charles Street Site gives artists a chance to display their work and generates some revenue to buy hospital equipment. Mrs. Overy has volunteered for more than 20 years and says it is “very, very rewarding.”
Hugh and Gloria Bates volunteer together at the café at Brockville General Hospital’s Charles Street Site. They are two of more than 300 volunteers who are part of the BGH family. Mr. Bates also helps patients in the day surgery area. For more information, please contact:
Christine Endicott Healthy People ~ Outstanding Care
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