March 18, 2015
1511
Jean Colling, a member of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre - Kincardine hospital auxiliary, reminds us that with volunteering, the rewards aren't always about raising funds.
"For many years I have been involved with the television rental program that we offer to our hospital patients," says Colling. "It seems we concentrate in this program, as well as other programs in the auxiliary, on making money.
"Recently, while doing my shift for the television rental, I was asked by a staff member if we would ever give a 'free' hook-up for a television set. The staff member explained that they had a patient at that particular time who was suffering from extreme agitation and anxiety, which presented a problem for the nursing staff.
"I was assured we would not be paid for the hook-up. Without hesitation, I connected a television set and proceeded to try and interest the patient in watching TV. The gratitude from the nursing staff was overwhelming.
"It is a reminder for me that our auxiliary prayer says, 'We strive to bring comfort and hope to all who are in distress in mind or body.' Maybe everything we do with volunteering, and the gratification received, does not necessarily have to based on the dollar sign."
Jean Colling (C), patient television rental committee convener, with the South Bruce Grey Health Centre - Kincardine hospital auxiliary, press reporter Liz Nurton (L) and president Ginny Ross, are shown admiring one of the new television sets, purchased by the auxiliary in 2014; photo courtesy of the hospital auxiliary
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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