National
Volunteer Week
April 23- 29, 2006
The
staff of Memorial Medical Center has the opportunity to recognize
and honor our Auxiliary members during National Volunteer Week. This
nationwide celebration is from April 23- 29, 2006 with the theme "Volunteers
Plant the Seeds of Kindness".
This is the 32st observation of National Volunteer Week. It was established
in 1974 by President Richard Nixon to honor the service of so many
generous people who "Plant the Seeds of Kindness". Every
year more than 100 million Americans give freely of their time and
skills to help improve their communities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
once said "everyone can be great because anyone can serve."
The Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary has proven their greatness by
the hours they have devoted to helping serve our patients, our guest
and our staff and by the caring ways they touch lives.
We
are so fortunate to have volunteers who are the seeds of kindness.
They are dedicated to the caring attention they give to our patients
and staff alike. They are one of the hospitals most valuable assets.
With 43 members, they have contributed over 9,000 hours of service
just in this past year alone. You see them all over the hospital:
dismissing patients, transporting patients, delivering trays to patients
or delivering supplies to departments. We have all come to rely on
them for doing the things we just can't get to and they do them willingly
and always with a smile.
These members
have proven their dedication and commitment to the well being of this
hospital. Not only do they offer themselves with no pay, but they
also contribute to the hospital through purchases of needed equipment
and by awarding LVN and RN scholarships each year. Just this past
year, they donated over $8,000 to purchase new sleeping chairs in
the ICU. They have also have provided wheel chairs, stretchers and
medical equipment in the past.
The
South Texas Blood Bank representative send regrets the she is unable
to attend today, but asked me to thank all those who work at a successful
blood drive. The monthly blood drive would not be the success it is
without their work. They have been receiving between 30 and 35 units
a month of badly needed blood. Special thanks go to the telephone
recruiters who call to remind these donors.
Thank you Auxiliary
members for making our hospital a better place. We honor your giving
spirit because "Volunteers Plant the Seeds of Kindness".
