Every Friday, Joanne Shaffer puts on her uniform and clocks in for her shift at Citizens Medical Center. But instead of a pair of scrubs or a lab coat, Shaffer dons a light pink button up and a volunteer name tag.
For almost 20 years Shaffer has been a volunteer at the hospital. She started in 2006 after her mother-in-law suggested she give it a try and since then Shaffer has had so much fun working in the hospital鈥檚 gift shop.
鈥淚 should be tired at my age but I鈥檓 not. I joke that this keeps me young,鈥 Shaffer said.
Throughout her days at the gift shop, Shaffer has been a footnote in some of the best and some of the worst days of people鈥檚 lives. Whether it鈥檚 a balloon or flowers for a sick loved one, a teddy bear for a newborn or just a listening ear, Shaffer and the volunteer staff are there for whatever hospital guests need for almost any given situation.
鈥淪ometimes people are looking for a gift but sometimes people are lonely or they just need to get out of the hospital room,鈥 Shaffer said.
Since becoming a widow, Shaffer has been grateful for her four hour volunteer shift at the hospital on Fridays. It has been more than just something to do for Shaffer, it鈥檚 always been about the people who come in and out of the shop.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what I鈥檇 do if I didn鈥檛 volunteer. People are glad we鈥檙e here just to come in and buy something and I鈥檓 happy to be here too,鈥 Shaffer said.
The gift shop is a happy place filled with stuffed animals, knickknacks, crossword puzzles, balloons and flowers that serves more than just hospital visitors, it serves the hospital鈥檚 staff as well with Christmas decorations and candy bars. Money spent at the gift shop goes right back into the hospital and the patients it serves.
Over the years, the group of volunteers have raised money to buy 30 wheelchairs to help mobilize patients, gave $10,000 to help pay for ultrasound equipment, bought a new golf cart to help transport patients and visitors and donated $5,000 to support the hospital鈥檚 Run Against Cancer.
鈥淢ore people should get out and volunteer, it鈥檚 great to get out of the house and talk to people,鈥 Shaffer said.
While Shaffer is a well-seasoned volunteer at the hospital, 18 year-old Grace Palmer has been volunteering at Citizens for just about a week. While home from college, Palmer has spent her winter break answering phones and helping hospital guests get the information they need at the hospital鈥檚 front desk.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been humbling. I enjoy getting to talk and help people,鈥 Palmer said.
Palmer is currently attending Texas A&M University and plans to become a nurse. For Palmer, volunteering at Citizens is a great way to get some experience for her future career.
Whether it鈥檚 keeping them young, preparing them for the future or raising money for the hospital, the volunteers at Citizens Medical Center are there to help hospital visitors. And while they might not have a doctorate or medical training, volunteers like Palmer and Shaffer are helping to heal people in their own ways鈥攚ith a helping hand or a warm smile.
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