Hats off to Marin General Hospital's Volunteers!

GREENBRAE, CA — As Volunteer Week approaches (April 6-12) it’s hats off to the 240 volunteers at Marin General Hospital, who once again delivered assistance to the professional staff and reassurance to patients while donating 26,796 hours in 2013.

Betty Shepherd, a spry 95-year-old retired registered nurse, exemplifies the giving spirit of the many individuals who work to make Marin General Hospital special place.  Ms. Shepherd, a San Rafael resident, has been knitting for over 80 years. In August 2010 she began making baby caps for newborns as a Marin General Hospital volunteer.  Since then, she’s logged 5,469 hours and even recruited her neighbor and a few other friends to help. Together they provide a steady supply of caps—about 70 per month—in various colors, sizes, and styles. Parents can choose one they like best. 

“You can’t put a material value on the support volunteers provide here,” says Kathy Meyer, Director of Volunteers. “The comfort and kindness they give to our patients and their family and friends is an amazing gift to our community.”

Since the program began, hospital volunteer hours have totaled an astounding 2,663,032. More important than the hours is the way in which their contributions turn a hospital stay into something memorable.

“National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities,” says Mrs. Meyer. “We are so proud to participate by recognizing those who have, over the years, done so much to make our staff’s and patients’ lives better. We thank them with all our hearts.”

For more information about volunteering at Marin General Hospital, visit online.
 

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