90 and Over in 2009 at Brazosport Regional Health System
L-R: Catherine Schoppe, Dorothy Hannaford, Elmo Cormier, Gene Franklin
The auxiliary at Brazosport Regional Health System held a celebration to honor the volunteers who were 90 and over in 2009! As an inspiration to us all, the four honorees spoke about how the other volunteers are like an extended family.
“It’s such a wonderful joy volunteering at the hospital,” explained Dorothy Hannaford who has been volunteering for 22 years. “After my wreck early this year, I had to be on medical leave and I truly missed all of my friends. When I’m here, I enjoy every minute of it.”
Elmo Cormier, a 21 year volunteer veteran in the ER jokes, “I like pushing people in the wheelchair younger than me…it makes me feel good.” At 90 years old, Elmo is still going strong and volunteers every Thursday and 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. “Everyday I help someone new, I get to give back to the community, that’s what I really enjoy,” he added.
Catherine Schoppe, a volunteer at Main Information for 44 years has volunteered 14,000 hours. Catherine has been the only auxiliary member who has been president for three years. “It makes me feel good that I get to help other people,” Catherine stated.
Charter member Gene Franklin was honored as well. Gene has been in the community for 65 years and was the second president of the auxiliary when it was first established in 1958. “I look forward to volunteering, it’s so rewarding,” Gene said. “I love everything about the volunteer program at Brazosport Regional, I wouldn’t change a thing!”
Volunteering at Brazosport Regional is rewarding. The positive difference it makes in the lives of the patient and the hospital employees is seen and felt every day. One of the greatest benefits from volunteering is the personal satisfaction that comes from making a patient’s stay a little easier. These individuals devote their time to help people in the community all while being surrounded by their “family.”
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