Saluting the best

A very special group of people-who are best at doing for others-were treated to a dinner and a salute from Labrador-Grenfell Health last Wednesday evening.

This is the fourth year for the Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City. A delicious hot turkey dinner with all the trimmings was a well-deserved token, according to Ozette Simpson, who stressed the value of those who give so selflessly of their time.

"These volunteers are so important, and we appreciate what they do and we want them to know we appreciate it," explained the CEO for Western Labrador. "These people do everything from manning the gift shop, visiting patients, knitting items, reading to our long-term care patients...numerous little things that make a difference. They have flea markets and have raffles to make money."

Simpson says it can be seen in the faces of those who are restricted to a hospital bed, just how much the efforts of those volunteers mean.

"You can see the patients' faces light up when they come, just to read or chat for awhile. You just know these little things mean so much, it brings cheer to these patient's lives," she said with emotion her voice. "And as long as I am here as CEO, I will make sure we have this appreciation dinner each year, because it's important to let them know how much they are appreciated."

Municipal acknowledgements

The appreciation and acknowledgement of the volunteer efforts came as well from both municipalities in Labrador West.

"I believe volunteering is one of the highest forms of service," Labrador City councillor John Penney said in his address. " On behalf of the Town, I thank you for all that you do in volunteering for our hospital; particularly those who volunteer with our long-term care patients. The hospital is better because of you, and indeed so too is our community."

Speaking on behalf of the Town of Wabush, Cheryl Hardy drew on her own personal experience with the volunteers and how so many touched her life.

She noted that last year her mother was in the hospital and she was able to see firsthand the care and value of volunteers.

"I was here last year, and last year was very emotional for me because I had just visited my mother who was 90," recalled Councillor Hardy. "

She since passed away, but as I look here tonight, there are so many faces I am familiar with. It's overwhelming to realize the scope of the work you do as volunteers."

Hardy told the group of volunteers, that they were indeed the most important part of any community because of the care they give to the most vulnerable.

"I think it's wonderful what you do," and I would like to share a quote I came across that came from a Methodist newspaper. It was from a volunteer who worked in a seniors complex and it said, 'It's almost like, through the little projects that we do, and the visits that we make, we are the feet and the hands of God'. And that is just what you are, when you are visiting the seniors and sometimes you might come away and not know that you done something so special, but you really have.

Even though you are not paid, it's not because you are worthless, it's because you are priceless."

The Hospital Auxiliary presented the fruits of its volunteers' efforts in sizable donation from a number of fundraising activities over the past year.

Sharon Kean presented Carol Valcourt of the Grenfell Foundation with a cheque in the amount of $10,00.