Shannon Cary said she appreciates the volunteers she oversees at the county’s only hospital. She just wishes she had more of them.
Cary, the supervisor of volunteer services at Mercy Hospital Jefferson, 1400 Hwy. 61, in Crystal City, said many more volunteers are needed to help patients and visitors at the information desk; work in the gift shop; transport patients; provide clerical support and take on other tasks.
“We have 40 volunteers who are active,” Cary said. “I’d like to have 40 more.”
By helping out at the hospital, the volunteers save Mercy Jefferson money.
“They’re doing things the hospital doesn’t have to pay people to do,” Cary said.
Joe Poelker, the Mercy Jefferson media relations and communications manager, said the volunteers’ contributions allow hospital staff to concentrate on treating and taking care of patients.
“Anything a volunteer can do to free up someone in patient care allows them to concentrate on patient care,” he said.
Cary said the volunteer program at Mercy Jefferson took a big hit when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
“We lost quite a few people after COVID,” she said.
Cary said people with differing abilities volunteer at Mercy Jefferson.
“If they aren’t able to do everything physically, they can do jobs like working in the gift shop,” she said. “They can give out information, like room numbers.”
Cary said Mercy Jefferson is fortunate to have a volunteer program.
“Personally, I think volunteering is a most important and rewarding job,” she said. “They are providing a service that’s not available at every hospital.”
Those interested in becoming volunteers at Mercy Jefferson need to submit to a background check, Cary said.
“They also have to go through a basic physical, including a drug test,” she said.
Cary said that while most of the hospital’s volunteers are older, younger people also give of their time.
“The majority are retired people,” Cary said. “But, in the summer and at Christmastime, we have what we call our ‘junior volunteers.’ Last summer, we had them as young as 14,” Cary said.
She said volunteers are asked to give a few hours of their time a week.
“We have several choose to do more, but the basic amount is one four-hour shift a week, weekdays only,” Cary said.
She said the volunteers often cover other shifts when someone goes on vacation.
“The volunteers, being seniors often, like to travel and are able to take time off,” she said. “They fill in for each other.”
Volunteers, while not receiving a salary, get a food allowance at the hospital during the days they work.
“They get an $8 meal ticket during the days of their shifts they can use at the hospital cafeteria or cafe,” Cary said.
Volunteers said they appreciate the opportunity to help out at Mercy Jefferson.
“I take patients to their pre-op room,” said Joan Vonderhaar, 79, of Pevely. “I’ve volunteered here for 22 years. I enjoy working to help people. After my mom passed away – I’d taken care of her – it was just a natural thing to do.”
Mary Clegg, 72, of Festus has volunteered at the hospital for seven years.
“I work at the information desk,” Clegg said. “I look at my volunteerism as something I need for social interaction. Every day (at the hospital) provides me with something different.”
Another volunteer, Mary Ann Hutson, 78, of Festus, said she has donated her time to the hospital for 11 years. She escorts patients to where they need to be in the hospital.
“I’m a registered nurse,” Hutson said. “This was kind of an extension of what I was doing as a nurse.”
Terry McIntyre, 75, of Hillsboro has volunteered at Mercy Jefferson for three years, working in the gift shop.
“I do like being busy,” McIntyre said. “It makes me feel useful.”
The women said they feel people value what they have to offer as volunteers.
“When you’re a volunteer, it’s very gratifying,” Vonderhaar said. “People appreciate what we do for them. They always thank you.”
To apply to join the Mercy Jefferson volunteer program, contact Cary at 636-933-1665 or Shannon.Cary@mercy.net or go to mercy.net/forms/missouri-volunteer-interest-form.