Happy National Volunteer Week (April 10-16)

Left to Right: Doug, Susan and Sarla

Happy National Volunteer week!

Last Friday, April 8, President Barack Obama proclaimed April 10-16 as National Volunteer Week. https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/04/08/presidential-proclamation-national-volunteer-week-2016 

On behalf of the Sodexo team at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, we would like to express a heartfelt "Thank You" to those who volunteer and give back to the community. 

A survey conducted by Gallup Well Being in 2013,http://www.gallup.com/poll/166250/americans-practice-charitable-giving-volunteerism.aspx found that 83% of Americans donated to charity in the past year and 65% volunteered.

So, what is a volunteer? According to dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/volunteer, a volunteer is a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking or a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.

There are many ways to volunteer. Conventionally, people look to volunteer at food banks, religious organizations, hospitals, schools or homeless shelters.  

For this week's blog post, I would like to highlight Susan Kallmes, who volunteers five days a week. She started volunteering at Lahey Health in April 2015.  She volunteers a day or two each week in the Food and Nutrition department at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, two days at the gift shop at Lahey Beverly and a day as a guide at the Peabody Essex Museum.  

Susan retired in 2014 after working for 26 years at the Peabody Essex Museum. She enjoys volunteering because she loves helping people.  When I asked Susan why she chose Lahey Health to volunteer, Susan said Lahey is a truly amazing place to work and volunteer.  All colleagues here are very helpful and remarkable!  She hears so much positive feedback from patients and visitors when she is here. It makes her feel alive and lucky to be a part of this incredible team.  She also thinks it is a special gift she was given each time she comes and volunteers. 

Susan also wanted to thank the Food and Nutrition management team for the opportunity and for the kind hospitality extended to her.  She feels a sense of belonging and connection each time she is here.

To Susan and all volunteers: Thank you for all that you do! Happy National Volunteer Week!