Hospital Volunteers Demonstrate Commitment Through Quality and Numbers

The community’s commitment to Washington Hospital is reflected in the number and work of volunteers who make up the Washington Hospital Service League.

From its beginning in 1955 when a small group of women organized to raise money for a new community hospital, to today — 60 years later, the Washington Hospital Service League has supported the Hospital and its programs with time and money.

During these past 60 years, Service League volunteers have provided nearly 2 million hours of volunteer service and have donated more than $2.4 million in raised funds for various Hospital needs. Additionally, the Service League has funded more than $300,000 in health career scholarships for students.

Currently, more than 500 individuals, ranging in age from 16 to 95, volunteer regularly at the Hospital and support the Hospital out in the community. Some years, the number of active volunteers has topped 600. Service League volunteers reflect the diversity and interests of the multicultural community that makes up the Washington Township Health Care District.

To celebrate the work of Washington Hospital Service League volunteers, a special 60th Anniversary luncheon will be held 12 noon – 2 p.m. (11 a.m. reception) on Tuesday, October 13, in the Tent at Washington West, 2500 Mowry Avenue, Fremont. All past and current Service League volunteers are encouraged to attend and to celebrate the Service League’s impressive accomplishments these past 60 years. Special guests will include former Service League presidents.

“You don’t have to scratch very deep at Washington Hospital to find a Service League volunteer helping to make this a better institution,” says Washington Hospital Chief Executive Officer Nancy Farber.

“The care we provide our patients is enhanced immeasurably by the dedicated work of Service League volunteers,” she adds. “Their contributions to Washington Hospital and the greater community cannot be measured in numbers alone.”

Some of the Service League’s ongoing contributions to the Hospital include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Welcome Desks: staffing the Hospital and Washington West welcome desks — greeting and helping patients and visitors, discharging patients, delivering mail and flowers
• Gift Shop: managing and staffing, selling items to visitors, patients and staff (with funds raised allocated to support Hospital needs)
• Surgery Liaison: keeping concerned friends and families updated on operating room patient’s status
• Emergency Department/Critical Care: providing emotional support to patients and their families/friends; providing information for visitors
• Patient Feeding: assisting staff with feeding patients who need social interaction or whose medical condition requires assistance
• Birthing Center: providing treats for new moms and pediatric patients; providing tours for families
• Special Care Nursery: cuddling newborns
• Institute for Joint Restoration and Research: with staff, act as coaches for patients during physical therapy
• Puppets/Hankies/Quilting Group: making gifts and comfort items for newborn babies and Infusion Center patients
• Music Therapy: calming nerves by playing soothing piano music in the main lobby
• Community Health Resource Library: staffing, assisting visitors, conducting osteoporosis and blood pressure screenings for visitors
• Diabetes and Women’s Center: assisting patients with appointments, assisting with educational classes, assembling files
• Better Breathers Group: assisting with community meetings, Pulmonary Department mailings and appointment calls
• Tattoo Removal: assisting staff with tattoo removal clinics for former gang members
• Special Projects: assisting where needed, including public health and wellness seminars, health screenings, community events, such as Think Pink, Concerts in the Park, Neuroscience Symposium, Let’s Go Green and other such events.

Reservations for the 60th Anniversary Luncheon may be obtained by contacting Washington Hospital Volunteer Services at 510.791.3465. Past presidents and current adult volunteers are invited to the 60th Anniversary Luncheon as guests of Washington Hospital. Past volunteers are invited to attend the luncheon for $10.

Additional information on how to become a Washington Hospital Service League volunteer may be obtained on the Washington Hospital website: whhs.com or by calling 510.791.3465.