LIVING WELL Magazine

Alison Roozeboom, Memorial Health System volunteer discusses Why Not Volunteer? in Colorado Springs SENIOR Magazine

Colorado Springs SENIOR Magazine

Why Not Volunteer?

Alison Roozeboom, Memorial Health System volunteer

Most people try their best to stay away from hospitals. But at Memorial Hospital Central, a unique group of people choose to come every day—weekends, holidays and bad weather aside.

Interspersed among the scrubs and business attire of professionals seen working at Memorial Health System are the unmistakable blue and white uniforms of Memorial’s proud volunteers. Nathan Mesnikoff, director of volunteer services, attests to the volunteers’ impact with a story about a foreign exchange student who was injured in a terrible car accident. The young man was given a blanket that one of the volunteers had knitted, and it comforted him until his family could fly to see him. When his mother arrived, she was amazed that a stranger had been so kind to her son.

Connecting with patients, escorting visitors and cuddling newborns, Memorial’s volunteers are an indispensable part of the health system. Though these hard workers vary in age, retired seniors seem to be drawn to volunteering at Memorial.

Carolyn Irvine is 79 and has been volunteering at Memorial for 11 years. She retired and moved to Colorado to be with her grandchildren. Though she enjoyed spending time with her family, she missed the sense of productivity she had when she was working. “I got tired of sitting around doing nothing. It was boring,” she said good-naturedly. Her son suggested she try volunteering at the health system. “I fell in love with this place,” Irvine said.

Even her heart attack in 1999 couldn’t keep her away from volunteering for long. “I didn’t let it stop me. While I was sick I missed this place. I said to the doctor, ‘When can I go back?’” Though she has a pacemaker and carries portable oxygen, she continues to volunteer twice a week.

Lois Giles, 86, wears a ribbon on her collar decorated with numerous gold volunteer pins that are evidence of her dedication. One of these pins indicates her most recent level of accomplishment: 31,000 hours of volunteering at Memorial. Giles has been volunteering at Memorial since 1987. She began by asking herself, “What could I do to be useful to someone?” Since then, she has worked in many different areas of the hospital, from being a cuddler for NICU babies to participating on the auxiliary board.

When Lois lost her husband a year ago, volunteering lifted her spirits and helped her to stay positive by directing her focus outward. “It’s made me a stronger person.”

Bea Jensen is 93 years young, and has been volunteering at Memorial for 11 years. Busy bustling in and out of patient rooms, she doesn’t even stop to rest her feet during the interview. “I keep active. I never want to sit down,” she said.

Bea has a refreshing perspective on life. “I thank my lucky stars. I’ve had a good life. Someday, the good Lord will take me. But I’m not going to sit and wait.” She enjoys getting to know the patients by taking on a variety of responsibilities. “I’m a jack of all trades, master of none.”

Oscar Ridings began volunteering because he “needed to get away.” His wife had Parkinson’s disease and he took care of her around the clock. Having worked 30 years as a teacher, Oscar thought his people skills would fit in well at the health system. “I like meeting patients and the nursing staff especially.”

Oscar chose to volunteer in the heart center because of his own heart problems. Time spent volunteering at the hospital gave him the outlet he needed. “Sometimes, volunteering does more for us than the hospital and patients. It’s a great thing, especially for seniors.”

Bonnie Nixon, volunteer services coordinator at Memorial Health System, is effusive about how priceless volunteers are. “Putting a price tag on the dedication, spirit and charitable acts of volunteers is hard to do. They are the front lines of our organization in the community, oftentimes the first face patients and visitors see in the hospital. Volunteers improve lives across the country and around the world.”

Visit www.memorialhealthsystem.com to learn more about volunteering and to see a video of volunteers in action.