King's Daughters recognizes volunteers

National Volunteer Week is April 7-13. Everyone at King’s Daughters is very thankful for our volunteers and their dedication to our mission - “To care. To serve. To heal.”

The volunteer program at King’s Daughters was established on Oct. 6, 1955, with 138 charter members. While it was initially called The Women’s Auxiliary of King’s Daughters Hospital, the program was opened to men in 1979 and renamed King’s Daughters Hospital Auxiliary. All volunteers are invited to become members of the Auxiliary.

As Auxiliary members, volunteers help to raise money through the Auxiliary Gift Shop and fundraisers such as Masquerade Jewelry and Collective Goods. This money is donated back to King’s Daughters to fund programs like the Newborn Car Seat Program, which ensures that every newborn goes home in an approved car seat, and the Emergency Medication Fund, which assists uninsured and underinsured patients in obtaining needed medications.

In addition to working at the Gift Shop and fundraising, volunteers work at information desks at our entrances; in procedural areas, such as Same Day Surgery; Pastoral Care; and the Medical Staff office.

Many volunteers serve as greeters, welcoming patients and visitors as they enter the facility and escorting them to where they need to go.

“Our volunteers are often the first faces our patients and their families see when they come through the doors,” said Amie Schwendeman, Volunteer Services manager. “When someone walks into King’s Daughters for the first time it can be overwhelming, especially, when already dealing with health concerns. Being greeted by a smiling volunteer who offers assistance from the moment they enter the hospital is essential to patient satisfaction.”

Volunteering at King’s Daughters brings many rewards, not just to the patients, but to the volunteers themselves.

“Volunteers get a sense of satisfaction and purpose,” said Schwendeman. “They are doing something meaningful for other people. In addition, the friendships that I see between our volunteers is really special and they get really close to one another.”

Joanne Gibson finds her work as a volunteer extremely rewarding. As a greeter at the Lexington entrance, she is often asked if she gets paid for her work at the hospital. “I tell them yes, I get paid in many ways,” she said. “I get paid in the relationships I build with the other volunteers. I get paid in the satisfaction I get when I help a family or patients during a difficult time at the hospital. And I get paid in the opportunity to stay active and involved in my community.”

Apply Today

There are currently volunteer openings in most areas of the hospital. All potential volunteers must complete an application and a background check, and also receive medical clearance from a physician.

For more information or to receive an application, call (606) 408-0955.