Willett Watch

Volunteers -caring throughout our community

While we all appreciate volunteers for their contributions to our community, we don't often consider the benefits to the individual who is actually the volunteer.

When asked what the benefits of volunteering are, Cindy McComb, who works for volunteer services at the Willett, had no hesitation, saying, “gaining valuable experiences, learning new skills, not to mention the emotional value of feeling needed and knowing that you are helping your community.”

Cindy will be on hand for the 2nd annual Volunteer Fair being held at the Telfer Place atrium. The fair is an Open House taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is being organized by the very productive partnership between the Willett and the Paris Community Well-being Team along with Telfer Place .

According to Karen Kuzmich, Coordinator of Wellness and Healthcare Integration, the Well-being Team wanted an event that goes beyond just finding volunteers. “The goal of the Fair has always been to help facilitate people becoming more involved in their community,” she said.

Last year the fair drew over two dozen community agencies and a large turnout from the community. There was very positive feedback from those who participated. Karen suspects that attendance by interested community members will grow this year.

For those thinking of volunteering, including those students seeking to fill their community hours for school, this gathering of agencies gives a wide variety of choice says Karen. “There are lots of different ways to volunteer that don't have to take up a lot of time.” She mentions, “reading to people, sorting clothes, helping in an office, etc.”

The landscape around volunteering has changed significantly since the requirement for volunteer hours was put into the curriculum of high school students. Cindy McComb sees this as a great opportunity and learning experience for the students, saying, "It is a new level of commitment with students having to be accountable, by completing the interview process, the health review, and the orientation."  At the Brant Community Healthcare System, students are required to complete a minimum of 60 hours.

The Willett has always had a group of dedicated volunteers with a history that goes a long way back. Before the Willett Hospital was built, and even before the first Willett Board of Governors was elected, the Women's Hospital Aid Association was formed.

These were dedicated women, led by their very first president, Mrs. John Harold, and they immediately became an important pillar of support for a hospital still in its infancy.

During their history, the name and the structure of the organization changed many times. It became the Women' Hospital Auxiliary, grew into the Willett Hospital Auxiliary and finally in 2001 changed their name to the Willett Volunteer Association which it is known as today. On a related note, it can no longer be known as a women's association since many of the volunteers are now male.

As the Willett continues to evolve and add new programs and services, so too do the roles of volunteers evolve at the multi-service healthcare centre. As more community programs begin and more clinic-based services arrive at the Willett, volunteers are needed for outpatient purposes. Previously, many of the volunteer roles were centered on inpatient services.

Volunteering is important. As Brant County continues to grow, so does the need for volunteers. Studies have also shown that volunteering can be healthy. Individuals stay active and get the additional emotional benefits from knowing that they have made a difference in someone's life.

The Fair is also a good way to get an idea of the breadth and depth of the caring in our community. I can practically guarantee that you will be surprised at the number of good works going on out there. It is a very impressive list.