Talk about models of dependability and commitment. Together, the three longest-serving volunteers at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH) have been serving their hospital for a combined total of 113 years.
Cecile Rolland of Orillia has been volunteering at the hospital for 43 years. Jean Grant has been volunteering for 40 years and Beth McCall has lent her helping hands to OSMH for 30 years.
"They could run the hospital," joked Faye Blewett, coordinator of volunteer resources at OSMH.
Blewett said the three seniors are great examples of volunteer dedication.
"The commitment they've made to the hospital has been phenomenal," Blewett said. "The departments that they work in are very appreciative of the fact they've been here so steadily."
Overall, OSMH has 216 volunteers. For the 2023/2024 fiscal year, volunteers have contributed 29,043 hours of service, she noted.
CECILE ROLLAND
Rolland is the only volunteer at OSMH to have 40 years of volunteer service under her belt. She was awarded an Ontario Service Award for the 40-year achievement. She also has one for the 35-year achievement.
She started volunteering in 1981 after she was a patient and encountered a volunteer she knew in the community.
“She suggested that I consider volunteering, which I did and my children were at a stage where I could put in some time,” she said.
Eventually, she found volunteering in the business office was the best fit for her, as she had been a legal secretary.
While volunteers are asked to commit to one three- or four-hour shift a week, Rolland puts in one nine-hour day a week, helping staff with invoicing and accounts.
"Cecile is their right arm. She’s the one they can count on being there doing all the things that nobody likes doing in an office,” quipped Blewett.
Rolland likes the mental stimulation, the relationships she's built with the staff and the fact that she can walk to the hospital.
“It’s an excellent opportunity to give back to the community and to keep the brain on top of things,” she said.
Additionally, her daughter is a nurse at OSMH.
“It is amazing how many of our volunteers have family working here,” said Blewett.
BETH MCCALL
McCall, 94, volunteers as a porter every Friday afternoon.
"I choose to be a porter because I like to walk. I'm doing my best to keep walking," she told OrilliaMatters.
McCall started volunteering in 1994. She's got a vest full of pins for achieving five, 10, 15 and 20 years of volunteering at Orillia's hospital. She also has a 25-year Ontario Service Award and is in line to get one for 30 years.
McCall said she loves the friends she's made among the team of volunteer porters. The Friday afternoon team is "the best team ever," she said.
A social person, McCall enjoys conversing with the patients.
“Every day is different and people that we porter are so appreciative and they think it is a wonderful service.”
Blewett says McCall and other volunteers enjoy talking about their love of volunteering, which, in turn, benefits the hospital.
“I refer to the group of volunteers as the best recruitment tool we have,” she said.
JEAN GRANT
Grant volunteers at the information desk on Tuesday mornings, answering the phone, working the computer and greeting visitors.
She started volunteering in 1984 when her children left home and she found she had time on her hands.
“I thought this is boring, so I thought that I should do something and I came in here and I believe I started that same week,” she said.
Grant said she's made some great friends among other volunteers on the desk, explaining that before the COVID-19 pandemic, they used to meet for a monthly social.
"COVID disrupted everything," she said. She was off for a year due to the pandemic and then came back to volunteering in the information area with glass walls in place to keep staff and volunteers safe.
“Of course, the staff really appreciate everything we do. We found that out in a big way. After COVID they put up big signs saying “Welcome Back,” she said of the volunteeers' return to the hospital.
“I always say, I’ve got far more out of this than I have given. So that’s why I keep coming back,” Grant said with a laugh.
June 13 is the date of this year's annual volunteer recognition dinner.
“We usually have over 100 volunteers attend," said Blewett.
To inquire about volunteering at the hospital, email [email protected].
