CHC Volunteers gathered at the Community Care and Conference Center on May 9, 2012, for their annual Installation Luncheon and Scholarship Awards.  There were over 50 members and guests in attendance.  New officers were installed to the CHC Volunteer Board and three scholarships were given to area students. 

Before the luncheon,Randy DeGroot, CHC President and CEO, thanked the Volunteers for their efforts and being a valuable spoke in the CHC wheel, noting that the hospital greatly benefits from their services.  Volunteer Bud Carpenter offered a prayer in recognition of the Volunteers efforts.  The luncheon was catered by Grant’s Catering.  Volunteers and guests enjoyed lasagna, bread, vegetables, and an assortment of desserts. 

Following lunch, scholarship committee member, Patty DeGroot presented three scholarships.  The rest of the scholarship committee consists of Loraine Brooks, Anne Boltz, and Jack Ferguson.  The 2012 scholarship recipients were Julia Carpenter, Manvir Mangant, and Katilyn Lyons.  Each will receive a scholarship for $1000.  The scholarship is designed to financially assist full or part-time students pursuing or completing a health-related career.  Recipients are eligible to renew the scholarship. The funding is available forBranchCountyresidents and CHC employees, and may be used for tuition, books, or other education-related expenses. Applicants must complete the application in full and submit one written letter of reference.

Michigan Association of Healthcare Advocates South West District Past President, MAHA Membership Director, & CHC Volunteer Marilyn Ashdown installed the 2011/2012 officers.  The new officers are Sonya Wilkins, President; Deloris Eley, Vice President; Monica Wyss, Secretary; Pat Widlitzki, Treasurer; Bill Rodgers, Assistant Treasurer; and Cathy Bulter, Counselor.  The luncheon ended with a 50/50 raffle and a thank you from outgoing Vice President Pat Gooldy.    

The Community Health Center of Branch County Volunteers are a group of dedicated men and women who donate thousands of hours of their time every year to support, assist, and advocate for CHC and provide services to assist in meeting CHC’s mission and vision. They serve in nearly every department of the hospital. Some volunteer as much as 20 hours per week while others work as little as two hours a month.

Volunteers do everything from delivering mail and mowing grass to assisting cancer patients and helping with fund raisers. Volunteers help in patient areas such as the emergency room and nursing units. They lend clerical assistance in many of the office areas. They assist with patient and guest relations at the information desk and help in dietary and environmental services. Volunteers knit or crochet hats for every baby born at CHC to prevent heat loss and provide bereavement layettes as well as booties and blankets. A group of sewers stitch pediatric surgical hats to help alleviate the anxiety of the littlest patients having surgery as well as make cough pillows for patients having abdominal surgery. 

In addition to the individuals who volunteer on a regular basis within the hospital, many volunteers focus their activities on fundraising for CHC. Their efforts help to run the gift shop and plan events throughout the year, such as their annual used book sale, bake sale, and raffle.  The proceeds from these events make the scholarships possible.  In addition, the volunteers are close to paying off their pledged $80,000 towards the refurbishing and renovation of the cafeteria.