Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan., was recently recognized by the Wyandotte County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.) as the “Volunteer Station of the Year,” where the most hours were donated in the county in 2011, and the largest number of volunteers were enrolled in the program.
This is the third year in a row the hospital has received the award.
The honor was presented at the R.S.V.P. annual recognition luncheon. Providence helped to sponsor the event.
Providence volunteers contributed more than 22,000 hours to the hospital in 2011.
Providence volunteer Ed Thomson was recognized for contributing more than 800 hours in 2011; and Carol Gottesburen for volunteering more than 500 hours.
Four of the hospital’s volunteers were honored for being 90 years old or older and continuing to volunteer: Oleta Bogard, Irene Kyle, Lorraine Proctor and Mary Evelyn Taylor.
“We have about 75 volunteers who participate in the R.S.V.P. Program,” says Catherine Rice, senior associate of communications, Providence Business Development, Communications and Volunteer Services.
In addition to recognizing the hospital’s volunteers for their service, R.S.V.P. also provides incentives to volunteer, such as transportation reimbursement and supplemental accident and liability insurance.
“Many of our volunteers appreciate the opportunity to take part in the R.S.V.P. Program,” Rice adds. “It encourages individuals to volunteer at Providence. Our volunteers do everything from greet visitors at our front desk, to drive our courtesy shuttle, to knit prayer shawls for patients, to supporting department staff with clerical support. They are very generous with their time.”
The Wyandotte County R.S.V.P. Program is funded by The Corporation for National and Community Service and is sponsored by the United Way of Wyandotte County.
It encourages older adults to get involved in their community by volunteering their time to a number of organizations.
Approximately 150 individuals volunteered at Providence in 2011. The hospital also will honor them for their service during Volunteer Week, April 15-21, treating them to a special luncheon at the LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, which is just minutes from Providence.
To learn more about the volunteer opportunities at Providence, visit the hospital’s Web site, www.providence-health.org, and click on “To Help."
