Durham Regional Hospital Health Spot- Volunteers Make the Difference

Durham, NC- Becoming a hospital volunteer can be a great experience. Helping people find their way to a sick loved one or just saying "hello" while walking down the hall can make a big difference.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor approximately 60.8 million people volunteered at least once from 2006-2007.

For Chris Poole, a sophomore at Northern High School and teen volunteer at Durham Regional, volunteering has been a part of his routine for the past year. "Chris volunteers holidays and days that school is out. He has over 200 hours and is the hospital's youth nominee for the Key Volunteers Award /Volunteer Center of Durham," says Claudette Meeks, Program Coordinator and Teen Volunteer Supervisor with Durham Regional Hospital Volunteer Services.

Poole volunteers with the Education Services Department. He helps by performing administrative duties such as answering the phone, filing, getting the mail, and more. He encourages other teens to volunteer because "not only do volunteers help patients and families, but what you do while volunteering and who you meet may help you in the future."

Volunteering in a hospital can be an especially rewarding experience that provides opportunities to help with a variety of projects in different areas. Volunteers at Durham Regional Hospital help with staffing the Gift Shop and the Information Desk, to delivering the daily newspaper to patients, or working with a specific department like Poole.

According to Ann Marie Lingenfelter, director of Volunteer Services at Durham Regional Hospital, the hospital would not be able to deliver the level of services and quality for which it is known without volunteers. In 2007, 175 volunteers provided more than 49,000 hours of service.

"I can tell that the work I do while volunteering makes a difference to the department and staff," says Poole.

Lingenfelter says "many Durham Regional volunteers began volunteering their time because they wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. A hospital is one of the best places for doing that," she says.

Durham Regional has both an adult and a youth volunteer program. Volunteer opportunities are available for those ages 14 and older. To become a volunteer at Durham Regional Hospital contact Volunteer Services at 919-470-4150 or visit www.durhamregional.org and click on join our team.