Apr 23, 2002 2 min read

REDSTONE TWP. – Brownsville General Hospital volunteers will be recognized today at a special luncheon hosted by the hospital administration and the board of directors. The medical staff at the hospital is also honoring members of the Brownsville General Hospital Auxiliary with a special pin recognizing the merits of volunteerism.

Brownsville Mayor Norma Ryan declared April 21-27 Volunteer Week, signing a proclamation along with the hospital’s chief executive officer Sara Poling.

“Every year more than 100 million Americans give freely of their time and skills to help improve schools, ease the lives of the sick, aged and those stricken with tragedy, and serve the needs of others in countless ways. Through their efforts, volunteers help build better communities and reap personal gratification and rewards,” Ryan said.

President Richard Nixon established national Volunteer Week in 1974.

“Our volunteers are integral members of our health care delivery team,” Poling said. “They provide care, compassion and support services to patients, their families and visitors. Complimenting their provision of volunteer services, our volunteers also raise funds to purchase state-of-the-art patient care equipment.”

The Brownsville General Hospital Auxiliary includes more than 40 volunteers. They provide patient support services and coordinate various fund-raising activities and events. During the past year, the auxiliary has donated $4,000 to purchase wheel chairs, $22,500 for urology and arthroscopic equipment for the hospital’s operating room, and $28,000 for pulmonary function testing equipment.