“Many men have been capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing.” ~ Alexander Pope

The other night I went back to school! I am exaggerating just a bit. It wasn’t really  night school, but being a supporter of life long learning, how could I turn down the opportunity to learn some new things? Two of my friends invited me to attend a dinner meeting to learn all about the purpose of a hospital auxiliary. All I could think of when I heard the words “hospital auxiliary” were my high school friends who were signed on by their mothers, against their wishes and much to their dismay, to be “candy stripers” at the local hospital for the summer.

I found out that my perceptions of a hospital auxiliary were misconstrued. Hospital auxiliaries serve to bring involvement opportunities to the whole community, not just to idle teens. They help raise funds for approved projects. They set up programs so that community members can volunteer their services at the hospital.  I learned of the multitude of volunteer opportunities available at our local hospital, the Yampa Valley Medical  Center.  To name just a few – if you are a person who loves pets, you can volunteer with their pet therapy program. If you wish to spend time with little ones, there is a volunteer program in the hospital employee’s daycare.  If you are a “people person” and enjoy talking with patients and their families, you can spend time visiting and spreading good cheer with the cookie cart, rolling it through the hospital halls. It is not just about candy stripers anymore!

The conversation of the evening turned to the amount of supplies such as crutches, knee braces, splints, arm slings that go home with orthopedic patients in this very athletic town. The supplies are used and then discarded when no longer needed. Often, they are still in like-new condition. Is there not some way they can be reused by patients in other countries such as Macedonia, who  are lacking in current and  up to date equipment? Wouldn’t recycling them be a better alternative then having them end up in landfills and dumps? How about it America?

Many hospital volunteers are retirees who are in good health and have good hearts, who wish to help others. No one likes  being in the hospital, but with folks who so generously give of their time and fulfill themselves through community involvement, it can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. You never know when you may be on the other side of the coin and in need of help from others. How would it feel to be able to pay it forward?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.