LMH's helping hands
By Carrie DeSandro Special to the Kansan
Hospital volunteer Ryan Grimes pulls the crisp, white, hospital sheet taut just before tossing the firm pillow onto a bed.
Making beds is just one of the few, simple yet greatly appreciated jobs performed by volunteers like Grimes at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Grimes, wearing the tell-tale red volunteer vest, said he helped out at the hospital to gain experience in the medical field as well as give something back to the people.
"Doctors and nurses are on another level with the patients than we are," said Grimes, a junior from Wathena studying pre-med. "Volunteers have more of an opportunity to be on a personal level with the patients and give them support."
Allyson Leland, director of volunteer services at LMH, said the hospital's program, now in its sixth year, provided volunteers in the emergency room, radiology, labor and delivery rooms, pediatrics and others.
"It's a matter of helping out where needed and doing something for someone else," she said.
Leland said that the hospital has had volunteers since 1957,but that her department was created in 1990 to coordinate and organize the system. She also said student involvement, especially from the University of Kansas, made it necessary to build an organization like any other business with employees minus the payroll.
For most students, the process of becoming a volunteer begins with a phone call to the volunteer services offices at LMH to set
up a 20-minute interview.
Leland said she usually asked applicants what their interests were and what they saw themselves doing at the hospital.
"I don't recommend someone choosing a job unless they are ready," Leland said. "Not all aspects of this kind of work are pleasing; not all of the patients turn out perfect."
If accepted, and most who apply are, the volunteers go through the appropriate orientation. Some areas, such as the emergency room, require more orientation than others.
Specific jobs include transportation of patients, running specimens to the lab, making beds, or just holding the hand of a nervous patient or a waiting family member.
"The doctors and nurses always have another patient," Leland said. "Our volunteers step in and see the other side of the job. They are the icing on the cake."
Leland said the 80 to 100 students who came in each semester usually were looking into health or medicine-related careers. Not all the volunteers come from the University, however.
"We don't have the 'house-wife'syndrome here where people volunteer just to pass the time," she said. "We have a lot of retirees come in to learn something new or look for new jobs."
Leland said high school students ages 13 to 18 volunteered during the summer in areas of the hospital with less patient contact but with an equal amount of work.
"Overall, volunteers can use this opportunity as a learning experience for personal or educational reasons," Leland said.
For students who don't have younger siblings to pass down their clothes to, the Salvation Army office,946 New Hampshire St., will gladly take the donations.
"We'll take anything," Anderson said. "But we often work with families directly, and for them we really only want new clothes."
But as students begin to trade Birkenstocks for hiking boots, they may notice some of their clothes aren't fitting anymore.
As the winter months approach, The Salvation Army is looking for warm clothes, both old and new.
The Salvation Army would like volunteers but also is willing to hire people. Those interested in volunteering should go to any store and fill out an application.
Besides needing extra money, the Salvation Army also is in need of more people to collect the money.
The Salvation Army receives grants from the federal government and the United Way. Proceeds go to the Adult Rehabilitation Center in Kansas City to help drug addicts and alcoholics.
Other methods of financing can come straight from student's pockets. Starting in mid-November, the Salvation Army will have people scattered throughout the community with kettles and bells to take spare change donations.
"Being in a college town, we get most of our clothes at the end of the school year," said Betsy Anderson, store manager.
Marshall Loo, Kansas City, kan., senior gives to the Salvation Army mostly at birthdays and holidays.
All donated clothes go to Salvation Army store, 1818 Massachusetts St.
The Salvation Army wants students to clean out their closets—now.
Salvation Army seeking donations, volunteers
By Joey Bloom Special to the Kansan
"I get so many clothes from my grandma, like tight wool sweaters that I never wear," Loo said.
The Salvation Army, unlike most other merchandisers across the nation, is in greatest need during the winter months.
November 5,1996 The Hill
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Community Outreach
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