Palos Community Hospital Honors Volunteers

Palos Community Hospital recently honored all hospital volunteers with a special dinner for National Volunteer Week, April 21 to 27.

Palos recognized 596 adult volunteers and 137 junior volunteers who have logged more than 80,000 hours during 2012. The volunteers were celebrated at the annual dinner, this year themed “Volunteers Are An Important Part of the Puzzle,” which was held Tuesday, April 30, at Gaelic Park in Oak Forest.

One of those familiar and friendly faces regularly seen at the hospital is June Davia, of Palos Heights, who has been volunteering her time since the hospital opened its doors in 1972. June held many volunteer positions, last working at the Information Desk, but after 41 years of service she has retired.

“I had so many wonderful friends and worked with some many wonderful volunteers,” she says. “I loved every minute of it.”

Seven days a week volunteers assist hospital staff by performing tasks including delivering flowers to patient rooms, collating paperwork, visiting patients with specially trained therapy dogs, transporting patients and sewing stuffed animals to be given to pediatric patients in the Emergency Department.

“Volunteers impact our lives by providing a valuable service to our patients at Palos Community Hospital,” says Donna Nadelhoffer, director of Volunteer Services. “The time they give is an unselfish gift of compassion.”