NBH Encourages Maple Grove Members to Volunteer
 Club member Pam Martischnig, left, talks to volunteer Eileen Drummond and NBH volunteer manager Deborah Nicholas. |
The 80-year-old former Air Force radio technician and GE retiree has been helping out at Northern Berkshire Healthcare for 30 years. He and his late wife, Sylvia, were regulars at North Adams Regional Hospital and Sweet Brook Care Centers. But the long drive from Sweet Brook became too much after her death three years ago; now he helps out down the street from his home at the Adams Community Center, working on the computers and answering the phones.
"One of the biggest thrills was when I would talk to this woman at Sweet Brook," he said. "I would walk in with wheelchair and she would have the biggest smile on her face because she knew I was taking her to rehab and she'd have company.
"I really believe in this."
Joppich is one of 180 volunteers working across a wide range duties and hours throughout the nonprofit health-care system. But more are always welcome.
That was the message to the Maple Grove Civic Club on Sunday from Deborah Nicholas, manager of volunteer services at NBH. Nicholas brought along Joppich and Eileen Drummond, both members of the recruitment committe, to speak with club members who might be interested in signing on.
Most of the nearly 40 members in attendance indicated they had volunteered at one or another in their lives.
Volunteers help do everything from sales at the hospital gift shop and Women's Exchange II to helping in the gardens at the hospital, visiting with residents at Sweet Brook and answering phones at the Visiting Nurse Association, she said.
"We have lots of different opportunities that are available to you; it's not like you're pigeonholed and you can only do one thing," Nicholas told the 30-odd members at their monthly dinner at the PNA. "If you have a vegetable garden, we'd love to have you help with that."
A junior volunteer program starts at age 13 but there's no top limit. Nicholas said a number of people had been volunteering for 30 or 40 years and several were in their 90s.
"You don't need any specific background to do any of these jobs," she said. "First we have to determine if it will work for you; if it works for you and for us, then we train you on the job."
Volunteers do have to through a criminal background, or CORI, check. A spot on their record doesn't necessarily mean they'll be rejected but it may limit their volunteer opportunities.
New volunteers also go through an orientation training on safety, infectious diseases and other topics.
"Volunteering really is something that makes you feel good physically as well as mentally," said Nicholas. There are material benefits as well since volunteers can receive discounts at the hospital gift shop, at the pharmacy on some over-the-counter drugs, at participating eye doctors and at a number of local businesses during annual Volunteer Week in April.
Volunteers are more often brought on by other volunteers and through word of mouth.
"You may go home and talk to your grandchildren or great-grandchildren ... you may have a friend or neighbor," said Nicholas, adding it could be an opportunity for a lonely friend or for a relative looking for something meaningful to do.
"Even if you're not in a place to volunteer right now, we all know someone who may be at that place."
In other business, the club voted to match the Hoosac Valley High School Booster Club by $127, exceeding the $100 requested match, for football jackets. Officers also explained that scheduling problems forced the cancellation of the chicken dinner fundraiser.
A candidates' forum will be held at the next dinner meeting on Sunday, April 18, at 3 p.m.
