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News Article
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John Muir Concord Campus Honors Volunteers with Awards
Good Neighbor: Jacquie Oliverius:
Contra Costa Times
2/20/08
ONCE UPON A TIME, when someone said they volunteered at a hospital, the first words that popped into someone's mind were "candy striper." But as shown at the John Muir Medical Center-Concord Campus Volunteers' 2008 Awards and Installation Luncheon on Jan. 24, the volunteers accomplish a wide range of activities, from offering warm smiles and assistance to patients, or helping the medical staff in any way needed, to raising money for many projects around the medical center complex.
Dorothy Gerrard, president of the volunteers' executive board, welcomed more than 120 volunteers and guests to the luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord. I was seated at a table of past presidents, including Mary Ann Halvorson, Juanita Spaulding, Diana Bell, Lue Jones and John Herron -- yep, a guy was president. The organization would happily welcome more men who want to use some of their spare time to volunteer at the medical center.
Tom Harlan, president and chief administrative officer for the Concord Campus, spoke of the caring and compassion that is shown by the volunteers and the number of hours that are contributed each year. He also addressed the major building project that will take place on the campus. Others speaking at the luncheon included Donna Brackley, senior vice president/patient care services; Susan Woods, chairwoman of the board of the John Muir Health Foundation; Milt Smith, president and chief executive officer of the John Muir Health Foundation; and Ken Meehan, executive vice president/operations for John Muir Health, who said he long ago received some good advice.
"Don't tick off the doctors and don't tick off the volunteers," he said, to appreciative laughter.
There were two presentations of donations during the luncheon. Ellen Bishop, manager of the Gift Shop, presented a check for $50,000 to Brackley. Such donations are used for projects at the hospital, such as the new lobby furnishings or the mural of Mount Diablo near the Gift Shop.
And Halvorson, representing the Fundraising Committee, presented a donation of $5,000, gained from the sales of merchandise by outside vendors during six special events. "We are happy to say that 2007 was the best year yet in terms of total funds raised," she said.
The percentage donated back to the volunteers by the vendors can be as high as 20 percent, and the total donation is earmarked for artwork to enhance the lobby of the Cancer Center.
The next order of business was the introduction and installation of the 2008 executive board by Mary McDonald, past president and installing officer. Gerrard will continue in the position of president, and she will be assisted by Robin Heinschel, continuing as vice president/programs; Lisa Whitworth, secretary; and Al Hamra, continuing as treasurer.
Service awards were made to 78 volunteers for a contribution of cumulative hours for 2007, from 100 to 35,500. That last incredible amount and the presentation of the award caused an emotional moment for the volunteers. The hours were earned by Alice Colosimo, a volunteer at the medical center for 36 years. She spent her time particularly in recent years in the Gift Shop and so it was Bishop who gave a moving acknowledgment of the contributions by Colosimo, who died Dec. 26. Charlotte Morgan, Colosimo's daughter-in-law, accepted the award.
Service awards, along with orchid plants, were given at particular marks for years of volunteering: 15 years -- Dorothy Gregory and Lorena Lamprecht; 20 years -- Sally Ferro, Sylvia Howard, Sheila Nolan and Joan Privat; 25 years -- Eve Hollenberg; 30 years -- Anna Gove, Jeanne Hilson and Barbara Richmond; 35 years -- Mary Lawrence; and 40 years -- Lucille Jones.
(Posted March 3, 2008)