St. Luke's Volunteer #AtoZChallenge

https://youtu.be/kKZjKyTLnFg?si=ikDlNn_F5vHOM-tI

Big Helper in Action.

St. Luke's hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I was a volunteer for years in middle and high school. Over 600 hours by the time I was 16. 

I knew more parts of the hospital than most employees. I was on the transport team, radiology transport, radiology file room, radiation oncology file room (oooaf, the things I saw there, the Polaroids that had to be filed--couldn't have the guys do that job), pharmacy, North-wing 5/ South-wing 9 (the department moved when the hospital expanded), physical therapy, the mail room, and a float-- going anywhere I was needed. 

I loved volunteering. I made friends. I made a difference. I was a trusted member of the team. 

There was this one woman, Val. She wasn't a people person, as they say. But she liked me. One day, she needed something from her car, which was on the other side of the campus. She remembered my schedule. (Seriously, see all the departments I volunteered in? My schedule? Damnnn. My own mom couldn't remember it.) But Val knew I was in general transport that day, so I could run stuff all around the hospital. She requested me. I came up, she gave me the keys to her car and asked me to get the things. (I could havd stolen her car, the stuff in her car, etc. But she knew me. She knew she could trust me.) I got the stuff, locked the door, and brought it to her. 

Maybe that doesn't inspire you. But someone who couldn't get along with others, we got along. That says something. 

I developed skills while volunteering. I had fun. And I was useful. I had a purpose.

#AtoZchallenge Quality Volunteers are Worth Celebrating

Volunteer Recognition Day

A quality volunteer shows up when they say they will and is dedicated to the assigned task. They don't ask for thanks, but today they should get it anyway.

Any volunteers to get a VHS tape to turn into a YouTube video?
I'm only partly joking.
I was a "Big Helper in Action" on Nickelodeon's "The Big Help" in 1995. I'm Hospital Volunteer Girl!
The Internet seems to only recall celebrities and only has ads about getting trees planted and parks redone. But, at least that year, it was about volunteering in your community in any way you could. There were 30-second commercials that offered ideas. I'm certain of this because I made one. My friend Megan filmed it. My friend and fellow volunteer, Logan, was in some of it with me. I have a copy buried in the VHS library. I wish I could share it with you today because maybe it'd inspire you.

Volunteering at the hospital was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I gave over 600 hours, all by pure choice (my school did not require volunteer work, or offer an incentive for it). I was in several transport areas, where we helped move patients (usually wheeling people to the exit after discharge), delivered flowers from the front desk to patient rooms, or ran urgent samples to the lab (before the pneumonic tubes were installed). I also volunteered on a floor, which involved getting water for everyone twice a shift and answering phones. Plus, I was in radiology, where I put away X-rays in the alphabetical-color-coded filing rooms. I made lots of friends and got a free meal for every few hours I was there. (Contrary to popular belief, our hospital cafeteria was filled with yummy goodness. Doctors eat there. People who could afford five-star food ate there because it was pallet pleasing.) Plus, I came away with vast knowledge and life experience. My resume and college applications always carried that extra gold star.

Have you ever volunteered for something? Do you know a volunteer you can thank today?

The holidays of April is my #AtoZchallenge Theme.