Volunteering is good for your health

Medical studies show that volunteering helps people feel healthier, happier, and more connected.  Findings like these indicate that older people who volunteer tend to be less depressed and feel healthier than those who do not volunteer.

In honor of National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, Battle Creek Health System would like to ask the community to pause and recognize all those who give of their time to help others.

BCHS volunteers began their efforts in the 1930s by raising monies for new hospital equipment, by making clothing for newborns, and by comforting patients, all in three- and four-hour shifts.

In 2010, the nearly 450 Battle Creek Health System Auxiliary and Red Cross volunteers donated more than 60,000 hours of their time.  They helped raise nearly $90,000 for not only hospital equipment, but also for annual scholarships to help area students.  They do these things through a variety of fundraisers such as an annual golf outing; popcorn, book, and jewelry sales; Trees of Love dedication opportunities; and the hospital gift shop.  This past year, the Auxiliary volunteers also opened ‘The Green Door Restore,’ a thrift shop for second-hand treasures.

When not raising needed funds, BCHS volunteers help at the hospital information desks with way finding, and they escort patients to and from their appointments and hospital rooms.  Many of them still create prayer shawls and arm warmers for our cancer patients, newborn blankets and hats for babies, stuffed animals for children in our waiting rooms, and tray favors to brighten the patients’ meal carriers.

“Over the past decade or so our group of volunteers reached some amazing goals for this community through their support of a variety of projects,” says Marlene Pardoe, BCHS director of customer services.  “They purchased the Care-A-Van mobile health unit on wheels; neo-natal monitors for the BCHS Family Birth Center; equipment for The Cancer Care Center and the new hospice residence; and the Orthopaedic Renewal Center Patient Activity & Rehabilitation Center as well as mobile x-ray equipment for our emergency department.  We are truly blessed to have such a ‘healthy’ group of volunteers caring about others here at the hospital.”

“The growth of BCHS volunteer programs is a testament to their hard work and selflessness of time and resources for hospital projects and the patients its serves,” added Audrey Adkins, patient representative for the Patient Relations/Volunteer Services  department.  “Their willingness to share their unique talents makes each volunteer invaluable.”

So the next time you think about volunteering, remember that you not only help others, but you can also improve your own health along the way.

Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission.  Battle Creek Health System, a member of the Mercy Cancer Network, is a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement® as designated by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network.  BCHS, a nonprofit hospital, provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all.  For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.

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