VALUABLE COGS IN MACHINE
Volunteers remain backbone to CJMH
By JIMMY GALVAN

Any strong organization is only as sturdy as the people behind it. With Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital (CJMH), a strong volunteer force remains a backbone of the hospital staff.

Through the local chapter of TAHA (Texas Association of Hospital Auxiliaries), 24 active members serve in vario u s

roles in CJMH.

"We couldn't make it without our volunteers," said Kay Powell, human resources director at CJMH.

Mark Durand, marketing director for CJMH, said, "not enough credit is given to the volunteers and what they give to the hospital."

"Things that would take away from our staff doing their patient care duty are done by these volunteers," Durand said. "There are some ladies that do office work on computers for us."

Sam Yeary, president of the Auxiliary board, said the volunteers assist "the hospital in any way that we

can."

"Some of the volunteers

assist

in the

kitchen at

times," Yeary

said. "

When volunteers help with office work and

"behind the

s c e n e s "

chores for

BEA CAULEY has been working with the Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital volunteers since 1968. Newsboy photo/Sharon Kerr

h o s p i t a l

e m p l o y -

ees, they

free the staff

to spend more time with

p a t i e n t s ,

according to

A r l e n e

D u n n ,

h o s -

p i t a l

l i a i -

s o n

w i t h

TAHA.

"They take care of us so we take care of them," Dunn said. The hospital provides flu shots, tuberculosis testing, training and a hot meal for all their volunteers.

Yeary said the hospital also provides "quite a spread" for TAHA's annual banquet and installation of officers, "and we get invited to their big shindig at Christmas too."

The auxiliary does more than lend helping hands. Volunteer Bea Cauley, a member since 1968, says their group has purchased flags for the helicopters, a food cart, TVs for waiting rooms and had the benches in the chapel reupholstered recently.

When the hospital remodeled the obstetrics wing, "Miss Bea" said they purchased rocker recliners so that family members can rest before baby arrives.

She said they especially enjoy doing things for the young mothers, like making Christmas stockings to send babies home in during the holidays. TAHA also purchases car seats. If it is determined that the mother cannot afford a car seat and there is no other recourse from family or church, TAHA will provide the required car seat for the infant.

"Miss Bea" said in the early days volunteers sold sandwiches in vending machines to raise money, but now they hold garage sales, uniform sales, candle and jewelry sales, youname it sales for their projects. They also manage the gift shop in the hospital.

"We buy a lot of little stuff for the hospital that might fall through the cracks," Yeary said.

Another way the auxiliary gives back to the hospital is through its scholarships that are awarded to nursing students.

Two $500 scholarships are awarded to Jasper High School graduates for those intending to major in a medical field.

In fact, Yeary noted that one of the current volunteers had received a scholarship from the auxiliary when she graduated from high school and now is serving with the auxiliary upon retiring from nursing.

"She has come full circle," Yeary said.

Both contributed a lot of the auxiliary's success to past president Beth King, who passed away in January of 2007.

"It's a very valuable cog to this organization," Durand said. "Beth left some large shoes to fill."

"She was a very valuable and respected person," Durand said. "What she contributed to our hospital was immense. She led this auxiliary and made it was it is today."

Durand said the auxiliary is a shining example of how volunteers can help a process move smoother.

"When you have had that hard day and this job has taken its toll on you, just to see what the volunteer's smiling faces just brightens your day," Durand said. "These individuals are working for free. They come in here and help us and help other people.

"These are just people that want to give back to their community," Durand said. "We are very lucky to have these volunteers here with us. We're very blessed."