Volunteers make the hospital experience better for community members. April 10-16 is National Volunteer Week, and St. Francis-Bartlett is honoring its Volunteer of the Year, Susan Collins, because of her dedication to volunteer service.
She joined Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett as a volunteer in 2012. Her mother had recently passed away, and Susan was looking for a way to help people that were in need of comfort.
“To be honest, I really didn’t know what to expect. I probably should have asked that question before I joined,” Collins said. “But I am so glad I did it. I look forward to my time at the hospital each week. I am part of a great group of people and there’s really a joy in knowing that what I am doing is helping others.”
Hospital leaders value what she and other volunteers have to offer.
“Susan’s caring, commitment, and compassion are special qualities,” said Jane Garrett, Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett manager of volunteer services. “She has gone above and beyond the call of duty by also serving as our auxiliary’s vice-president of ways and means. Susan has done a phenomenal job of organizing our fundraising projects.”
In 2015, Collins’ efforts played a major role in the auxiliary raising nearly $20,000. She planned events that that included uniform sales, jewelry sales, and poinsettias sales. In addition, Susan was the driving force behind “Volunteer Vittles,” a cookbook featuring recipes from the volunteer staff.
As a result of these fundraising efforts, the Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett Auxiliary was able to purchase educational materials for patients and their families, memory boxes for new mothers, and a remodeling of the ICU waiting room.
“Raising money to help people is such a satisfying feeling,” Collins said. “It’s amazing to be around such a selfless group of volunteers that take such pride in what they do.”
Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett’s 99 volunteers contributed nearly 17,000 hours of service in 2015.
Since the hospital opened in 2004, they have donated more than 190,000 service hours to the hospital.
