A Work of Heart

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Halton Healthcare is celebrating 2015 National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 12 – 18) by thanking the more than 1,100 volunteers at its three hospitals and other clinics.

“National Volunteer Appreciation Week is a time to celebrate and recognize the hard work and dedication that our volunteers demonstrate every day in our hospitals,” said Denise Hardenne, President & CEO, Halton Healthcare. “We would like to extend a huge ‘Thank You!’ to our volunteers for all their generous service and fundraising contributions.”

Several events are being held to honour volunteers who assist Halton Healthcare in many different capacities – directing visitors, assisting at the bedside, preparing materials behind the scenes, running gift shops and other fundraising ventures – for dozens of programs.

“We are very fortunate that so many volunteers share their gift of time and talent with us to help improve the patient experience at our Georgetown, Milton, and Oakville Hospitals,” said Sharon Norris, Vice President, Human Resources Planning and Organizational Development. “This year’s theme, ‘Volunteers – A Work of Heart,’ describes perfectly the contribution the volunteers make. They truly are the heart of our organization.”

SMILE Program

Volunteers play a key role in Halton Healthcare’s innovative SMILE program on the Medicine 4-Centre unit at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Created by a small group of healthcare professionals with backgrounds in nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, the SMILE program relies on volunteers to visit and engage patients who are at risk of delirium and functional decline by spending time with them doing mentally- and physically-stimulating activities. Halton Healthcare hopes to expand the SMILE program to Milton and Georgetown in the near future.

Volunteer Facts in Oakville

OTMH has 825 volunteers

Volunteers range from adults to students

They support 70 services

Volunteer Fundraising

In addition to the hundreds of hours volunteers contribute to our hospitals every day, our volunteers raise funds throughout the year from their gift shops, vendor programs, HELPP Lottery, Bingo, 50/50 draws, and special events. The Oakville Hospital Volunteer Association is half-way through their 10-year, $3 million commitment for NOH.

“We couldn't have done so much this year without the kindness and generosity of this extraordinary group of people,” added Ms Norris. “Our Volunteers’ unique gifts continue to enhance the care of our patients, families and visitors, as integral members of our healthcare team.”