Merit Health Biloxi Celebrates National Volunteer Week
4/20/2022
It’s been said that many hands make light work – one of the many reasons why volunteers are a valued part of Merit Health Biloxi. Volunteers are integral to the hospital’s commitment to the community by supporting the hospital’s mission of providing comprehensive care to the residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
During National Volunteer Week, April 17 through April 23, Merit Health Biloxi recognizes the many contributions these important individuals make, year-round. This year’s celebration, themed “Volunteering is Empathy in Action,” affirms the strong connection between volunteerism and empathy. This profoundly human connection is at the heart of healthier individuals and stronger communities.
“A strong base of volunteers is essential to a community hospital. Merit Health Biloxi is fortunate to have the active involvement of caring, generous individuals from the Biloxi community who lend their time and talents to enrich the lives of others,” says Wanda Shaw, the hospital’s volunteer coordinator.
The volunteers assist the hospital by staffing the gift shop, delivering newspapers and/or flower arrangements, escorting patients and visitors to designated areas of the hospital, providing general information, and more.
Gwen Dellenger has been a volunteer at Merit Health Biloxi for 6 years. “Just to know you’re helping someone in unique ways like scholarships for the community or buying food for the nurses working long hours. It’s great to know you’re making a difference even if you can’t see it. We could do even more with more volunteers!”
Despite COVID-19, the volunteers provided more than 950 hours of service to Merit Health Biloxi in 2021. With things trending in the right direction, the program is expected to grow this year. Special activities are planned at the hospital to recognize its volunteers including an awards luncheon and a gift for each volunteer.
For more information about volunteer opportunities visit https://www.merithealthbiloxi.com/volunteer-opportunities or contact our volunteer coordinator at (228) 136-1228.
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