Christiana Care volunteers celebrate ‘love in action’
Annual event celebrates more than 1,200 hospital volunteers
Christiana Care celebrated the extraordinary dedication of more than 1,200 hospital volunteers at an appreciation event at the Chase Center on the Riverfront on April 20.
More than 250 volunteers attended, including some members of the Junior Board of Christiana Care Inc. joined by Christiana Care leaders and staff.
Volunteer Isabel Hendrixson, a 2017 Wilmington Award recipient, spoke at the annual event recognizing the invaluable contributions of Christiana Care volunteers.
Hendrixson was one of the first volunteers for “No One Dies Alone,” a program that provides support to patients who are at the end of life and do not have family present to support them. She often sits with patients, reading or playing music during their last minutes of life. She leaves notes family members, reassuring them to know that their loved one did not die alone.
“Volunteers are the true personification of our values of Love and Excellence,” said Volunteer Services Manager Rose Wessells. “We believe it’s your hearts that keep you coming back each week. We couldn’t serve our patients and families with such love and excellence without you.”
At the event, 61 volunteers were honored for milestones celebrating their donation of 500 to 6,000 hours of service. Seventeen were recognized as members of the Christiana Care Volunteer Hall of Fame for contributing 10 years of service.
“Today we celebrated you, your passion, your love to help, and our partnership” said Visitor & Volunteer Services Director Margarita Rodriguez-Duffy, MSW, CAVS. “While each of you serves in a different way, the desire to help one another will always be part of our collective legacy. Thank you for choosing to volunteer at Christiana Care and personifying love in action.”
In 2017, more than 1,200 volunteers at Christiana Care provided more than 80,000 hours of service. That included 167 Summer VolunTeens who donated time and service during their summer vacation. Volunteers helped 18,000 patients and guests by escorting them to their destinations at Christiana Care’s campuses.
