Orangeville, ON –  Headwaters Health Care Centre will celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 27 to May 3, 2008, by honouring the many volunteers who  donate thousands of hours annually to the hospital to help deliver services and offer support and compassion to patients and their families.

“Volunteerism is one of our community’s greatest strengths. Hospital volunteers play a vital role in helping Headwaters provide the best patient-centred, compassionate care for patients and their families – whether through our two Auxiliaries, the pastoral care program, fundraising committees or as board members,” said Bob Baynham, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre.

Alma Townsend, a member of Headwaters Shelburne Auxiliary has been volunteering at Headwaters Health Care Centre since 1984. She prepares special occasion favours that are distributed on patient meal trays. It is something she does to make patients feel special. “I volunteer everywhere I can. I play piano at church and visit with people who are unable to get out and enjoy activities and other people,” says Townsend.

Don Lytle, Vice President of Headwaters Orangeville Auxiliary and a volunteer for nine years, contributes by staffing the information desk in the main lobby (Orangeville). He also volunteers as a porter two days a week escorting patients for tests and returning them to their room. “I enjoy escorting patients because I get to meet new people. I see patients at their best and worst, and if talking to them helps make them feel better about their experience I feel good too.”

Headwaters’ two Auxiliaries have more than 300 members who provide over 21,500 hours of service to Headwaters each year. Pastoral care volunteers nurture the spirit of patients and families. The Friends of Headwaters volunteers maintain the hospitals perennial gardens that offer a wonderful view from every patient window and a special place for patients and families. Volunteers also work with Headwaters Health Care Foundation to organize fundraising events such as the hospital’s Annual Dinner, and the Headwaters Board to provide governance and oversight for the Hospital.

“Volunteers do whatever they can to make our hospital friendly and welcoming. Everyone benefits – patients, visitors, staff and the community – when individuals volunteer their time and skills,” said Baynham. “National Volunteer Week is a time for all of us to celebrate the energy and commitment of volunteers.”

It is estimated that volunteers contribute more than 3 million hours of service per year to Ontario hospitals. National Volunteer Week first began in 1943 as a volunteer recruitment effort to enlist women for wartime voluntary service. The concept of a week devoted to volunteers was revived during the late 1960s. National Volunteer Week is a project of Volunteer Canada funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Volunteerism Initiative.