The Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Water’s Edge hosted their annual Volunteer Education and Appreciation Day on June 14, 2018. There are over 100 volunteers in the program and Volunteer Day is the one day each year that the volunteers come together to be recognized for their service, participate in annual education and enjoy fun and camaraderie with their fellow volunteers.
“Our volunteers are instrumental in creating a warm, family atmosphere throughout our facility,” said Community Services Coordinator, Ann Kozak. “Setting one day aside to thank them is the least we can do for the over 9,300 hours of service they provide each year.”
Volunteer Day starts with education and includes lessons on dementia, service standards, energy efficiency, patient rights and privacy, confidentiality and infection control.
A big part of the day is recognition for their volunteer service. All volunteers, including those who retired within the past year, receive lunch and a gift as a show of appreciation. Service awards are presented to volunteers reaching a five year milestone.
This year volunteers were recognized by the administrative team; Luke Beirl, Brad Zeller, Heather Sheehan and Sandy Harm. Volunteer Jim O’Connor reached 20 years of service. Volunteers Robert Anderson, Phyllis Beilgard, Tom Burgess, Karen Christopher, JoAnn Evans and Jan Wilson reached 15 years of service. Volunteer Nancy Oiler reached 10 years of service. Volunteers Becky Klingler, Barbara Peickert, and Steve Thiesing reached 5 years of service. Special recognition was given to Bab Haddick for 36 years of service.
The final honor of the day was presented to Volunteer of the Year, Denise Williams who received the annual Angel Award.
Each year Volunteer Services picks one volunteer who has shown an extreme amount of dedication and commitment to his or her volunteer role. This is never an easy decision as every volunteer brings their special talents and traits to their volunteer role. “I looked at volunteers who had been recognized for going above and beyond to serve our guests and Denise William’s name kept popping up,” said Kozak.
Kozak stated, “Denise is a warm, compassionate person who genuinely cares about every person who has the privilege of knowing her. She makes every person she meets feel treasured.”
Ever since her father was in an Assisted Living facility, Denise has wanted to “pay it forward.” Denise Williams started as an HAMHWE volunteer in December 2015. While her main role is serving soup and sandwiches in the Bistro, Denise also serves as co-chair of the Auxiliary fundraising committee and has volunteered in the Outpatient Department, the Gift Shop, Assisted Living, and the Care Center. She has donated hand-made items to the Gift Shop and helped with merchandise selection and display.
If you would like to learn more about the Hayward Area Memorial Hospital and Water’s Edge volunteer program please contact Ann Kozak at 715-934-4323.
Photo Caption: Ann Kozak, Volunteer Services Coordinator congratulates Denise Williams, HAMHWE Volunteer of the Year.
Last Update: Jun 21, 2018 2:19 pm CDT
