Spotlight on…
Volunteer Spotlight: Marilyn West
June 27th, 2010Marilyn West joined RSVP after she heard about the program from Marion Grimes. Marilyn was looking to “live her own life again,” after years of caring for her mother. She admired Marion’s volunteer work and was eager to see what impact she could make on the community. After taking the training for the Strong Bones program, she was well on her way to being a leader and difference-maker in the lives of many people. Marilyn was encouraged by Marion to start a class and she has been a Strong Bones leader for almost 8 years now, even though she considered herself “…not a born leader.” She often felt that she was much better at adding to the discussion rather than leading it but soon found out she could do both.
“Try to make it fun. If it’s not fun, they won’t come.” That is how Marilyn West approaches every Strong Bones class she leads at the Glenville Senior Center.
When it comes to the class itself, Marilyn has recruited quite the group! She starts them off with their exercise routine and everyone chimes in with their counting. Many times, participants lead an exercise by starting the counting or naming the particular exercise they will do next. Often someone will “exercise [their] funny bone” by reading jokes or offering helpful hints during the cool down period. The group is very tight knit and many are friends outside of the class. In fact, many of them were invited to Marilyn’s 60th wedding anniversary!
When asked about her volunteering, Marilyn beams with pride, exclaiming it’s a “good feeling to be out with good people and doing something worthwhile.” Twice a week for an hour Marilyn gets that good feeling and she wouldn’t trade it for anything. “At our age it makes you get out and have a good time. It is a great thing for your mind and your body.”
Community Partner Spotlight: Albany Memorial Hospital
June 27th, 2010Albany Memorial Hospital (AMH) has been serving the Capital District community since 1868, when it was known as the Albany City Free Dispensary. Today, it is a 165-bed community hospital now part of the Northeast Health consortium. Albany Memorial provides inpatient and outpatient care and offers the community a wide range of services including critical care, ambulatory surgery, diabetes management at our Diabetes Center, care for congestive heart failure through our Heart Program, and a highly-rated emergency care department.
According to Heather Knapp, one of two Volunteer Coordinators for the facility, Albany Memorial has approximately 200 volunteers actively participating in the day-to-day activities of the hospital including ten RSVP volunteers who provided over 1700 hours of volunteer service to the hospital in 2008. This summer AMH welcomed approximately 30 high school/college students for a summer volunteer program which allowed students to experience what it is like to work in a healthcare setting. Heather indicates that the hospital also works with local colleges (Bryant & Stratton, Mildred Elley, HVCC), enabling students to volunteer for their college internship programs.
Capital Region RSVP volunteers work at the information desk, in AMH medical offices and the gift shop, provide escort and transportation services, and assist in the spiritual care department. Heather notes that “Volunteers are vital members of our healthcare team. From surgical services to the emergency department and medical imaging, our volunteers can be found in just about every department in our hospital.” The hospital uses volunteers in a variety of ways, including patient and family care, and staff support. Many volunteers choose to share their expertise in the areas of computers, business and human resources.
Volunteers at AMH receive many benefits including free parking, flu shots, pharmacy and cafeteria discounts. The hospital is conveniently located on a CDTA bus route. The hospital invests a lot of time and effort in volunteer training, and is always glad to hear from new people interested in volunteering.
Capital Region RSVP is proud to partner with this important local health facility. If you would like to find out more about current volunteering opportunities at Albany Memorial Hospital, please contact RSVP at 442-5585.
