In recognition of the many hours and contributions devoted throughout the year by hospital volunteers, the volunteer department of Houlton Regional recently held its 28th annual Volunteer Luncheon.
This year’s theme was, “and the Winner is, Houlton Regional Hospital Volunteers.” Over the past year 13,358 hours were donated by volunteers at the hospital. Since the department began in 1984, volunteers have donated 302,195 hours of service to the hospital.
There are currently 87 volunteers providing services at Houlton Regional Hospital with over 30 different departments utilizing their services. Some of the jobs done by volunteers include spending quality time with patients, reading to patients as well as entertaining them, helping to put supplies away, assisting in laundry or ringing up a sale in the gift shop, as well as many clerical duties, special projects and greeting patients and visitors at the information desk.
“When we stop and think about the role of a volunteer, it is so amazing the scope of the many varied things they do,” said Patrice Lunnie, volunteer manager. “Their many duties keep our hospital humming as they play a very important role as part of our hospital team. How can you not enjoy working with so many individuals who so willingly give of their time and talent to their community hospital. We truly appreciate them; one and all.”
Among the volunteers honored for their hours of service were, Elizabeth Childers 15,000 hours, Jane Hughes 13,000 hours, Al McCluskey 11,500 hours, Gary Tidd 9,000 hours, Joan Logan 8,200 hours, Glynn Porter 5,900 hours, Lavona Varney 3,100 hours, Rita McDade 3,000 hours, Arlene Bean 2,700 hours, Virginia McLaughlin 2,300 hours, Frances Dunn 2,000 hours, Nancy Bridgham 1,700 hours, Betty Hutchinson and Lois Jeffery each 1,600 hours, Ruth Levesque 1,400 hours, Pat Chase, Beverly Moody and John Cleary each having 1,300 hours, William Dunn 1,200 hours, Debbie Bell and Barbara Grant both with 1,100 hours, Helen Blois and Donna Tracy each 950 hours, Toni Eastham 800 hours, Louise Hamilton and Connie Davison each with 650 hours, Brenda Chamber and Kelly Irish each having 600 hours, Andrew Dorr 550 hours, Carleen Hayes 500 hours, Elinor Harvey 450 hours, Sandra Grant, Mary Hatfield and Robert Kervin each having 300 hours, Verconia Stauffer 200 hours, Ron Bragg 150 hours, Lanie Lemerise and Dixie Grant both having 100 hours and Ardella Bennett, Barbara Fairfield, Brenda McCready and Peggy Robinson each having 50 hours.
Honorable mention was given to Connie Barry, Janet Bates, Eldon Bennett, Sandra Buzzell, Lavine Byron, Patti Hines, Joyce Hughes, Larry Hutchinson, Betty Ivey, Chelsea Kervin, Bridget King, Darren Lyons, Robert Remington, April Smith, Carol Stewart, Mikayla Tracey, Christine Wallace, Franki White, Cecil Williams, Floris Williams, Judy Willigar, Barry Davison, Mackenzie York, Sandi Brennan, Harold Briggs, Cheryl Tardy, Victoria Hanson, Caeley Brown, Gisela Blake, Ida Bradley and Mildred Reece..
For information on the volunteer program at Houlton Regional Hospital, interested persons are asked to call Lunnie at 521-2252.
