Volunteer Voice. Volunteer Services Mission Statement

Transcription

1 Volunteer Voice Volunteer Services Mission Statement We strive to put our hearts to work to enhance the service and mission of Children's of Alabama by serving the children, families, and visitors with respect, love, and compassion. A publication from Volunteer Services of Children's of Alabama September, 2013 Issue In this issue... Picking A Nose... Teen Scholarship Recipient... Michael Climbing Mountains... Fun Night (and then MORE Fun Night)... PNO... CLOWNS... KCI, COA, & AGC... Volunteer Wagon Cleaners... Important Dates...

2 Have you ever picked your nose?!? On Sunday, August 4, everyone at Children s of Alabama got that chance! After missing two years, the Annual Red Nose Transplant was conducted by the COA Auxiliary Big Top Clowns. Headquarters was located outside the Performance Area in the Russell Lobby. Transplants were in progress there and on every floor in the Russell and McWane buildings. Pictures were made, printed, and returned to each patient. In completing a transplant, the first step is to clean the nose. Each child--and even adults-- catch a bubble with their nose. Then their nose is measured, using colorful kitchen tongs. Next, the nose recipients pick their nose from silly, happy, or funny categories, and then the transplant of a red foam clown nose takes place. Thanks to Volunteer Services for providing the noses, camera, and printers for this event. Clowns performing transplants were, back row: Philbert, Whistler, Lindy Lou, Dr Boo Boo, Giggles, Dr Funny Bones, Ladybug, Whiskers; middle row: Jelly Bean, Petals, Ditsee, Matilda; sitting: Cowboy Bob. Performing transplants but not pictured: Lil Darlin. A special thank you to Whiskers wife, Peggy Irwin. She printed every picture that was made. We couldn t have had this amazing day without her. Thanks Peg! ---Becky Hunt

3 2013 Teen Scholarship Recipient Brooke Barnes graduated from Cold Springs High School in May, She began volunteering as a teen at Children s of Alabama in June, 2011, in PACU (Recovery). Later, Brooke volunteered in the 5 NW Nursing unit as a Hospitality Associate. Brooke enjoyed volunteering so much that she wanted to continue the following summer where again she volunteered in the 5 NW Nursing unit. She completed over 111 hours of service. To show her dedication, Brooke and her parents drove from Cullman for her to volunteer here. Being a senior in high school and having completed 96 hours of service, Brooke was eligible to apply for our $2500 Children s of Alabama Auxiliary scholarship. She also had two great letters of recommendation, one being from her school principal. Writing an essay was also part of the scholarship requirement. In her essay, Brooke shared some of her experiences and knowledge that she gained as a teen volunteer at Children s of Alabama. She also shared some personal experiences of illness that took place with her mom and how it helped her to grow compassionate and have empathy for the patient and family. Of course this had the committee and me in tears as we read her heartfelt essay. Brooke got the true meaning of what we strive and hope for with each of our volunteers! She learned the true definition of volunteering and experienced the wonderful rewards of what it is to freely give service of yourself to others. I feel blessed to have had Brooke as one of my teen volunteers! Brooke will be attending Wallace State Community in the fall, pursuing a degree in the medical field. We want to congratulate and wish Brooke the very best in her school and future endeavors! Who knows...we may someday see her walking the halls of Children s of Alabama again but as part of the medical personnel! --Lisa Howard

4 A familiar face at Children's, often seen by volunteers and visitors alike, is Michael Savela, whose music compilation CD, Climbing Mountains, has now been released. Michael has an extensive history with COA, and both his story and continuing service are testaments to his strength and character, blessed as one who has overcome great adversity with dignity and grace. A t five years of age Michael came to love the touch, feel, and sound of a piano. But long before mastering the instrument, he was fighting for his very survival. Born with kidney disease, as an infant Michael was not expected to live. Within two weeks of his birth he was on dialysis and received the first of two kidney transplants before he was a year old. Despite this most difficult beginning, thanks to superior medical intervention and God's grace, Michael Savela survived and thrived, taking music lessons by seven years of age and playing professionally by the age of fifteen. This distinguished "alumnus" of Children's contributes immensely to our hospital in many and various ways...perhaps most importantly with his cheerful attitude and willingness to serve in whatever way he is needed. When not serving at Children's, Michael plays the organ and piano at multi-denominational church services, weddings, private parties, and fundraisers, and he also uses his gifts for public speaking to encourage audiences to overcome adversity. In Climbing Mountains, his first compilation of music, Michael performs some of his original compositions as well as some popular favorites. His CD is for sale at his website, In keeping with his appreciation for and kindness toward Children's, Michael is donating one dollar to COA for each CD that is sold. Please visit his website, buy a CD if you choose, and look for Michael in the volunteer offices, at the information desks, or all around the hospital. (You won't have to look very long!) This gifted young man is one of COA's treasures, as his smile, talent, and attitude readily attest!

5 V V The Charity League of Birmingham sponsored Fun Night at the Children s Harbor on June 24. About 45 patients and guests were served. It was a fun night of pizza and bingo, with karaoke, arts and crafts, and face painting as well. What a great evening! Fun Night at Children's Harbor on July 22 was sponsored by Source One with Stacy and Christina Elliott as hosts. The theme was disco, along with Santa and "Christmas In July." We had a full house in the Harbor and in the atrium. This was so much fun for the children and the adults attending! - - Howard Holmes

6 V V August Fun Night at Children's Harbor was held on Monday, the 26th, with our sponsor, The Tri County Links, doing an awesome job with the patients and guests. We had 68 names on the sign- in sheet along with 12 members of the sponsor group and 14 of our own Children's Volunteers on hand. We all had a great party that included Pixie and Sunshine face- painting a lot of folks and Razz and Jennifer singing and dancing. Erin brought some super crafts that everyone enjoyed working on, and there was a lot of playing, dancing, and eating (a lot of pizza)!!! Thanks Holly, Madeline, Jade, J R, Phil, Bill, Yan, Sarah, and Hishonda for all the help. - - Howard Holmes

7 Sponsor for the July PNO was the Grace Women's Group from First Baptist Church in Hartselle. Thank you so much for your invaluable service to Children's!! A great group of Mississippi State Bulldogs hosted PNO on August 8! They served 82 meals to a lot of happy folks. Thanks, and "GO Bulldogs!"

8 While we stayed in the hospital I loved all the nurses who cared for my daughter! They treated her and my son like family! We loved the clowns that visited as well!!! Children's of Alabama is truly a "clown-u-copia" of people with the hearts of servants...from doctors and nurses, to EVS workers, to security personnel, to administrators, to our great volunteers...and, of course, the... CLOWNS!!

9 KCI + COA = AGC (A Great Combination) Hello, everyone! My name is Rip Livingston. I am a sophomore at Homewood High School and volunteer every week in the PACU at Children s of Alabama. I ve become passionate about this hospital, and there s no way I would rather spend my Thursday evenings. I am also on the Alabama District Key Club Board, serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Division 5 of the Alabama District, which more or less encompasses Jefferson County. My job is to serve as a leader and liaison, presiding over the 12 Key Clubs in my area. Key Club International is the oldest and largest high school service organization in the world. We re quickly approaching 300,000 members, making up 5,000 clubs in over 30 countries worldwide. A sister organization of Kiwanis International, Key Club International (KCI) works to serve and support the children of the world. Because of this, an instrumental preferred charity of KCI is Children s Miracle Network, and in the Alabama District, specifically Children s of Alabama. Last year, the Alabama District fulfilled a pledge to raise $150,000 for the new Benjamin Russell Hospital. This money was used to build two parent/teen rooms in the hospital. Go up to the 9 th floor, turn left, and check the plaque on the wall! The district continues to support the hospital in many ways. Key Club International holds an international convention each year, in varying places around the United States. I attended the 2013 convention in Washington, DC, July of this past summer. Each district also holds its own convention each year. Alabama will hold its 2014 convention in Birmingham, March 7-9. The conventions are a time for Key Clubbers to come together, meet one another, and ignite their love for our organization. These amazing conventions are an integral part of what is fueling our growth. I am so happy that two of my favorite organizations, Children s of Alabama and Key Club, are so connected, and am always glad to be indirectly serving this hospital while serving Key Club International. Together, we can make a difference and do amazing things!

10 ~Volunteer Wagon Cleaners~ The Henderson Life Group of Valleydale Baptist Church came to COA to clean wagons on Sunday evening, July 28. They chose to make Children's one of the beneficiaries of their summer activity program in which they volunteer their time and service to a different charitable organization each Sunday night. What a fun group they were! Thanks, guys and gals!! Do you have ideas for articles or features in Volunteer Voice? If so, Suzanne Reeves and let her know! (suzanne.reeves@childrensal.org)

11 Sept PNO (Parents' Night Out) Sept Dinner with the Clowns Sept Fun Night at the Harbor Oct PNO Oct Dinner with the Clowns Oct Fun Night at the Harbor Oct Halloween Festivities for the kids and staff (Help is needed!) Nov Christmas decorating begins Nov Dinner with the Clowns Nov PNO Nov Fun Night at the Harbor Nov Happy Thanksgiving to All! The Volunteer Staff: Sherry Scarborough Bonita Bivins Kim Crane Frank Hrabe Myla Hodge Lisa Howard Howard Holmes Suzanne Reeves Volunteer Voice Danny Culp Director Greeter Coordinator Project Coordinator Database and Compliance Coordinator Greeter Coordinator Student Volunteer Coordinator Adult Volunteer Coordinator Special Programs Coordinator Designer and Editor