The Gift of Oneself (Volunteerism)

Any one day finds a host of volunteers assisting patients and family members and smoothing out operations. Back row: Tom Corrigan, Joe Richards, Dick Fowler, Tex Huston, Tom Donahue, Ken Bragdon, Julian White, Doug Monteith, Ignazio Frigerio and Selly Blethen. Front row: Dave Fox, Irv Hodgkin, Mary Bryant Barbara Potter, Mary Swartzmiller, Vivianna Frigerio ad Ruth Campbell.

In 1946 a number of community members joined together to consider the building of a hospital in Ellsworth. This heritage of volunteerism carries through to this day – sixty years later. Each day a cadre of folks put forth their labor and experience to ensure a center of health care is available to Hancock and western Washington Counties. These volunteers ensure a center of health care is available to Hancock and western Washington Counties.

Volunteers young and old offer encouragement and enhanced health care to  inpatients in Swing Bed care. Marion Estabrook, Jill Breindel, Pauline Whitcomb, Amy Smith and Tina Austin.

Their numbers, now well over 275, serve our health care system at all levels from the trustees who guide and raise funds to young adults who bring energetic hands and vision for the future. Some meet us when we come to the hospital, others comfort us when we hurt, and still others fix, install, clean up or run an important event. For every fundraiser volunteers meet and work late into the night so funds are available to do the hospital’s work. Always pleased to serve whenever asked, the volunteers bring an upbeat yet genial decorum to the complex world of health care. They are a treasure of excellence and knowledge. They help us to see beyond ourselves. Yet each is special – offering a unique light and spirit to the world of caring for others. When totaled, their contributions equal tens of thousands of hours each year.
One hospital area that has benefited greatly from the gift of volunteerism is Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary Rehab, a highly utilized area where friendly help is greatly appreciated. Back row: Beth McGinnis, Sylvia Graham, Sarah Paida, Mary Jude, Deb Cunningham, Bernadette Dempsey. Front row: Margaret Edgecomb and Sarah Tucker.

To each we owe a debt of gratitude, for their unselfish grace and humility. The door of opportunity is always open to give of oneself. Volunteer – the pay exceeds all expectations.

Please join in with the over 142 valued Volunteers who work side by side with our staff serving their neighbors healthcare needs at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital.

Volunteers currently are needed in the following areas:

• Web Site Interface
• Facilities Enhancement (outside)
• Patient Satisfaction Survey Team
• Special Event and Meeting Assistant
• Capital Campaign Project Team Members
• Lifeline (Emergency Response System)

If you would like to have more information about becoming part of the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital family, call Terri Swanson Director of Volunteers at 664- 5314.

F.A.Q.

What does a Volunteer do?
Many different departments in the hospital have a need for volunteer service. Listed below are areas where volunteers are active:

Do I need any training or skills to volunteer?
Specific training for each service is given by the Director of Volunteer Services or by a designated trainer within the department chosen for volunteering. Training involves as many sessions as are needed in order to make a volunteer comfortable and secure in the service. New volunteers are often paired with experienced workers until they feel confident with their assignments.

Maine Coast Memorial Hospital needs special people. Could you be one??
Volunteers are special people who offer their services and experience in a number of capacities in a desire to help others, to support their hospital, and to lend an extra pair of hands where ever needed. One does not need any special talents regarding medical knowledge. Caring and understanding are the two most important attributes one can contribute.

Maine Coast Memorial Hospital's volunteers come from varied backgrounds and have a wonderful range of skills. From the Junior Volunteers to the retired men and women who offer their services and to all the others in between, the volunteer roster includes students, homemakers, business folks and the professions, artists, clerical workers, teachers, chefs~in all, a cross section of members of the community.

Joyce Schoppe and Donna Shea, both retired telephone operators, bring additional comfort to our youth in the Emergency Department with teddy bears made by the Hancock County Telephone Pioneers.

How does one become a volunteer?
Print out application form by clicking either Adult Volunteer Application, or Junior Volunteer Application. Mail or fax the completed form to the Volunteer Office (address and number on form). When the application is returned to the Volunteer Office, you will be scheduled for a preliminary interview to determine your interests and discover where volunteer are needed.

What are the Rewards of Volunteering
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital Volunteers agree that not only is volunteering interesting and enjoyable but rewarding in many ways:

• They learn new skills.
• They make new friends.
• They develop new interests.
• They do something different from their lifetime jobs.
• They enjoy the deep satisfaction that comes from helping others.

Our Staff

Terri Swanson, Director of Volunteer Services
..... E-mail Volunteer Services
..... 207-664-5314