UNC Health Care Volunteers Mark 60 Years

“We are the envy of a lot of hospitals because we don’t actually recruit,” says Linda Bowles, the director of volunteer services. “We have a very committed community – and we have volunteers coming from as far as Holly Springs and up toward the Virginia border. They come from all over. A lot of them find that this is a good way to get connected to the community. We work very hard to make sure that if you want to come in and give your time, we want you to feel good when you leave. We find the right place for you.”

In our March/April 2012 issue, we wrote about four volunteers who are changing lives every day through selfless, compassionate care. Here’s more on the Association.

Specific programs for which the Association is known include:

The Elaine M. Hill Award: Named for a former director of volunteer services, the award is given each year to a volunteer who exemplifies dedication, service and concern.

Pet Therapy: Through this program, patients may request service animals to stay with them during hospitalization. The goal is to improve a patient’s social, emotional and cognitive functioning and help a patient feel safe and loved.

No One Dies Alone: This program, which started in 2010 as a partnership with UNC Pastoral Care, trains volunteers to assist patients who have no family present at the time of imminent death. Volunteers sit with patients, play music, sing, read or hold the patient’s hand. The service is available 24/7.

Tea Service: In 2007, cancer survivor and volunteer Wanda Wooten began serving coffee, tea and cookies to patients and staff in the oncology unit. This weekly tradition has since grown to a team of 11 volunteers.

Through the timeline below, learn a little more about the history of the organization:

1952            North Carolina Memorial Hospital Women’s Auxiliary organized

                    Department of Volunteer Services established

1953            Cornelia S. Love Patient Library established

1955            First teenage volunteers on limited basis

1956            First service awards given

1958             Infant Photos started as fundraising service area

1960            Teenagers formally organized as Candystripers with 42 girls

1967            Viola Jacobs retires as Director of Volunteer Services

                    Elaine M. Hill assumes position as Director of Volunteer Services

                   “Women” dropped from Auxiliary name

1968            Television Rental initiated as fundraising service area

                    First Christmas Eve trip for Santa’s Sack

1969            Gift Shop opens in main lobby

1970            Jr. Volunteer name replaced former teenage program of Candystripers

                    First Health Careers Fair held with 93 students attending

1976            Hair Corner opened

1981            Auxiliary changes name to NCMH Volunteer Association

1982            30^th Anniversary of NCMH Exposition University Mall

1983            First Holiday Happening held at Morehead State Dining Room

                    Clothing Closet started

1988            Elaine M. Hill receives Governor’s Award for Excellence

1989            Hospitality Shop relocated to Ground Floor

1990            Elaine M. Hill retires as Director of Volunteer Services

                    Betty Hutton becomes Director of Volunteer Services

1995            Cranberry Corner Too opens in Neurosciences Hospital

2001            Betty Hutton retires as Director of Volunteer Services

            Linda Bowles becomes Director of Volunteer Services

2002            Cranberry Corner Gift Shop remodeled in Memorial Lobby

2005            Volunteer Services Department relocated to new suite of offices    Memorial Ground Floor

                    Lending Library moves to Memorial Ground Floor

2008           Family House opens

                   Volunteer Association pledges $100,000 to name the Solarium 

2009     NC Cancer Hospital opens with a volunteer office and workroom

            NCCH Volunteer Coordinator position approved 

            Butterfly Boutique gift Shop opens

            Espress Oasis Coffee Bar Closed

            Cranberry Corner Gift Shop has more than $1 million in sales

            Volunteer Association begins partnering with UNC Archives to document history

2010             Priscilla D. Bevin Junior Volunteer Scholarship established

                    Dollars for $cholars $hop opens in Neurosciences Lobby

Click through the slideshow for photos of volunteers from the past 60 years.