With the rampant greed that rules our society, many seem to have
forgotten what it’s called when a person works for no pay.
The staff at Hazel Hawkins Hospital hasn’t forgotten
– the dedication and smiling faces of their volunteers remind
them every day.
”
We love our volunteers,
”
said Frankie Valent, director of marketing and public relations
at Hazel Hawkins.
”
We cannot function without them.
”
With the rampant greed that rules our society, many seem to have forgotten what it’s called when a person works for no pay.
The staff at Hazel Hawkins Hospital hasn’t forgotten – the dedication and smiling faces of their volunteers remind them every day.
“We love our volunteers,” said Frankie Valent, director of marketing and public relations at Hazel Hawkins. “We cannot function without them.”
Most of the volunteers at Hazel Hawkins are senior citizens, bringing their years of life experience to the patients and staff, Valent said.
Rose Laveroni, 82, has been a volunteer at Hazel Hawkins for the past seven years, working about eight hours a month in the reception area.
When she retired in 1977 from the Pacific Telephone Company after 26 years of service, she filled most of service, she filled most of her playing golf. One of her friends and golfing companions who worked at the hospital suggested becoming a volunteer.
“I love it here, it’s very gratifying,” she said. “I especially love the children and I give them candy and a hug every day.”
Laveroni’s duties include escorting patients to the laboratory for blood work, to radiology for X-rays, keeping the linen closets stocked and an assortment of other small but important aspects that keep the hospital running smoothly.
“The volunteers really help with a lot of the hospital work,” Laveroni said. “We take some of the load off the nurses.”
The satisfaction she receives when she is able to help someone is extremely satisfying, however the heartache she feels over not being able to help some of the people who are admitted to the hospital is the hardest part of her volunteer work.
“When you see a child come in who’s very sick, you wish you could do something for them,” she said.
Spending her time volunteering at the hospital has brought Laveroni full circle, because she took her first breath of life within the hospital’s walls.
“I was born right here in Hazel Hawkins,” she said.
She’s seen many changes occur in Hollister in her 82 years, some of them good and some of them bad, however she loves everything about the town, she said.
“I love living here,” she said. “Hollister is such a friendly town.”
Linda West, who has worked in the hospital’s gift shop and as the shop’s assistant buyer for the past four years, owned her own child-care center in Morgan Hill for 28 years. When she retired she realized she had too much time on her hands and decided to volunteer her time at Hazel Hawkins, she said.
“The Lord has been good to me and I wanted to give back to the community,” she said. “I’ve never been involved with so many wonderful volunteers, they’ve inspired me so much.”
Being able to stay active without being tied down has made West’s work at the hospital even more enjoyable. “You can feel useful and still have the freedom to go when you want,” she said.
Many people associate hospitals with grief and despair, however West sees a different scene from her position in the gift shop.
“I don’t see too many sad faces,” she said. “As long as I live in Hollister I’ll volunteer at Hazel Hawkins.”
Laveroni and West are only two of the many volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to the hospital. Many of the volunteers are senior citizens, which brings a special ambiance to the hospital.
“They’re wonderful ambassadors to the hospital,” Valent said. “They give everyone a real sense of family.”
