And South Haven Community Hospital Auxiliary members are proud to be a part of that great movement!

More than 109 million people in the US volunteer.
More than half of all adult Americans serve as volunteers.
Volunteers in the US donate 19.9 billion hours of time in a year.
If volunteers were paid, their wages are estimated to total about $226 billion.
(Source: National Coalition, Independent Sector)

Hannah Schlecker (center) was recently honored by the Van Buren Chapter of the American Red Cross as their "Exceptional Volunteer" for 1999-2000. Hannah, who is Co-President of the South Haven Hospital Auxiliary, accepted the award on behalf of the faithful and dependable team of volunteers who have operated three blood drives in the greater South Haven area for many, many years. Our thanks to the volunteers who make this vital service available in our area!

SHCH Volunteers are a group of people committed to serving our Hospital and Community in many ways. Opportunities include assisting in Patient Care Services, Outpatient Registration, patient transportation, clerical duties in many departments, Shoppers Cart, and new Coffee and Gift Shop at the main lobby is operated and managed entirely by Hospital Volunteers. In addition, our Volunteers assist at Health Fairs, various Hospital special functions, and sponsor three Red Cross Blood Drives each year.

This past Fall, our Hospital Auxiliary led the annual Michigan Harvest Food Gathering, in which hospitals across Michigan donate food to the needy in their various communities. We are very proud that our volunteers, hospital employees and medical staff members donated a total of 2,232 pounds of food to the We Care Food Pantry for distribution to those in need.

Through a number of fund-raising projects, the Auxiliary is able to help support special needs of the Hospital, as well as providing scholarships each year to deserving area students who are pursuing careers in the healthcare field.

"As volunteers, we derive great satisfaction in the knowledge that we enrich the services provided by the hospital and are able to pay special attention to our patients and visitors. In return, we find an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance from the hospital staff, we make new friends, and for many of us who have lost our mates, volunteering brings new meaning and revitalization to our lives." - Hannah Schlecker, Co-President, SHCH Auxiliary.

The Hospital honors their volunteers in many ways, including a delectable annual luncheon held in the Spring, where volunteers are recognized for their years of service.

In the words of Albert Schweitzer, "One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve"