UPLAND, Pa. — Free flu shots. Free meals. A chance to be recognized for your hard work at a yearly luncheon. For volunteers at Crozer-Keystone Health System hospitals, these are only the fringe benefits.
“In my experience, I’ve found that no one volunteers solely for the flu shots, free parking or meals,” says Elizabeth Wright, director of Volunteer Services for Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill. “They come so they can give back to the community in some way and leave with the feeling of having done something useful and rewarding. They are happy to meet others like themselves, who are givers and not receivers.”
That’s a sentiment echoed by directors at the other three Crozer-Keystone sites where dozens of volunteers arrive each week to escort visitors around the hospital, deliver menus to patients, ferry hospital materials from department to department, and countless other tasks.
“The benefits of volunteering go way beyond the free meal tickets, flu shots and free parking,” says Janet Kalup, director of Volunteer Services for Springfield Hospital in Springfield. “Volunteering is an excellent way to improve your life and the lives of many others. Most importantly, you become a part of a caring group of people making a difference in your community hospital, and you’ll experience the good feeling that comes from helping someone else.”
In informal polls of CKHS volunteers, the consensus is that helping others – whether it’s by interacting directly with patients and visitors or working behind-the-scenes in various departments – is the main benefit of volunteering. However, Crozer-Keystone does offer a number of tangible benefits to its volunteers, including:
In offering these benefits, Crozer-Keystone seeks to reward its volunteers for their hard work, and to extend its appreciation for the talent and compassion they bring to its facilities. By offering an opportunity to help others, Crozer-Keystone has fostered an environment in which volunteers spend years – sometimes many years – coming back day after day, week after week.
“At Taylor this year, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Junior Board. Many of these members have volunteered for more than 20 years, and two of these members are celebrating their 45th years,” says Judy Lieberman, director of Volunteer Services for Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park. “These numbers are not uncharacteristic of the rest of the department. What motivates them? Is it because they are from a generation that believed it is important to give back? Is it because they are looking for a way to spend their time productively? Is it because they are looking for friendship? I think it is all of the above. Volunteers give from the heart. They know they are valued, and when the day is over, they feel good about the day and all that they have given.”
Joan Simpson, director of Volunteer Services at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, agrees.
“Volunteers have reasons to celebrate,” she says. “Our volunteers all share a common goal: to be needed, and to feel good about their accomplishments. It pleases volunteers to contribute their talents, accept challenges and be part of our CKHS family. Our volunteers are diverse, creative, and supportive, and truly believe in our mission. Their productive energy is rewarding and well serves our health care system and community. As I have said many times, our volunteers share their spirit and make a difference.”
To learn more about becoming a volunteer at a Crozer-Keystone hospital, call:
Crozer-Chester Medical Center: (610) 447-6318
Delaware County Memorial Hospital: (610) 284-8186
Springfield Hospital: (610) 328-8825
Taylor Hospital: (610) 595-6070