Auxilians and Volunteers

“One man was just so kind,” she said. “He would always give you the biggest smile when he came in.” And in return, Haub let him borrow her reading glasses from time to time.

“He always borrowed my reading glasses,” she said. “We would joke about that a lot.”Haub said she hasn’t seen that particular patient since the pandemic. But that’s just one example of the difference volunteers make.

Haub, a retired teacher from Prairie Valley Community School District, helps visitors get where they need to go. She guides anywhere from 35 to 50 people a day during a four-hour shift.

Hood also helps people find their way. He’s been volunteering since Jan. 20, 2016. He’s logged 938 hours of volunteer time.“Bill was one of our staff people before he retired,” Moe said. “He loved us so much, he decided to come back.” And apparently the feeling is mutual since Hood has earned the nickname “Mr. Wonderful.”

“That’s his nickname and he kind of likes that,” Moe said.“And who am I to argue that?” Hood said. “My daughter (Angie Tracy) got me the license plates that say so. If she thinks I am, I’ll go with it.”

Hood said he tries to make people feel comfortable. “Nobody wants to be here, so we try our best to brighten their day,” he said. “Some small talk as we take them places. Most people are more than happy to have a conversation. Some are really sick and if they don’t answer, you just make sure they are taken care of.”

 

Prior to his retirement in 2012, Hood worked 43 years doing telephone construction work for Frontier. Retired life at home didn’t last long.

"I lasted about six weeks after retirement before my wife told me I needed something to do,” Hood said. Next, Hood worked as a valet at the hospital. “She applied for me,” Hood said. “So I thank her for that.” Later, he transitioned into a volunteer role.Volunteers typically help in the cancer center, critical care reception, gift shop, surgery and other areas. Hood said he really didn’t interact with many people during his years working for Frontier. Moe said it’s a shame he didn’t work more with people because visitors seem to enjoy having him around.

"It gives you satisfaction to help people out,” Hood said. “It’s been really rewarding for me.”

For a time during the pandemic, volunteers were limited. And the hospital staff noticed.

"Having our volunteers really helps our staff and the staff was having to leave their clinical duties to come and get patients when we had no volunteers and that really took away from patient care,” Moe said. “The staff is in their role that they were hired to do. We don’t want to take nurses away from their department.”

Hood said he missed everyone when he wasn’t allowed to volunteer.

“When this virus was going on we weren’t allowed to come and I just really, really missed it,” Hood said. “All the volunteers I work with, I just really missed everybody. So pleased to be back.”

Haub said sometimes people don’t come with anyone else to the hospital, so they appreciate some interaction.

“It’s just such a good feeling and it’s so nice to meet different people and help different people,” Haub said. “There are so many people that come alone and you just want to help them. It’s such a good feeling to help people and I hope people would help my parents if they were in that situation.”

Hood and Haub plan to keep volunteering for some time.

“I am going to keep doing it as long as I can,” Hood said.

Story and photos from The Messenger.