Celebrating National Volunteer Week this April

April 21 – 27 is National Volunteer Week! At BCH, we are proud to have 379 volunteers including 38 therapy dogs working to improve patient experience and quality of care. ​Volunteers from all walks of life and every local community choose to give their time and energy to Boulder Community Health. This week, we are highlighting five volunteers who represent different opportunities across the hospital system – the Canine Corps, the BCH Ambassadors, our college students, a winner of our Leo Hill Extraordinary Volunteer award, and our Legacy Volunteers.

Canine Corps

Amanda Monger and her Canine Corps registered therapy dog, Maggie, have been visiting patients at BCH ever since she and her partner sold their business, leaving Amanda with more free time. With a desire to spend this time giving back to her community, she started researching volunteer opportunities at BCH on the recommendation of a friend working in the Emergency Department. After coming across the Canine Corps, she knew her boxer would be perfect for the job.

Did you know The BCH Canine Corps has been delivering smiles to patients, visitors and staff at BCH since 2000? We currently have 41 teams registered as volunteers and are recruiting for more to join our team! To learn more, visit bch.org/volunteer

Amanda says, “This is so important to me because now I get to hang out with my best friend while making lots of people happy and feel better. It also seems to relax patients and distract them from the unpleasantness of being sick/injured.” The pair have so far spent over 80 hours visiting patients combined!

BCH Ambassadors

Nancy Vinson has been volunteering since she was a Candy Striper in the 1970’s, throughout her days in college at CU, and throughout the last 15 years as a BCH Ambassador. Nancy says, “In addition to being a member of the Ambassadors leadership council, I have been co-chairing our Scholarship program for 15 years and find it to be the most rewarding. $59,000 was awarded this March to 21 recipients. I enjoy doing what I can to raise money for the hospital, its staff and patients and the community, and then get even more excited when I can be part of the Ambassadors ability to distribute those funds for our human healthcare scholarships, mini grants, continuing education and other Ambassadors sponsored programs.”

The BCH Ambassador Council is made up of six community volunteers who work tirelessly to support the staff and patients of Boulder Community Health. These dedicated volunteers have a combined 73 years of service and over 20,000 hours! Their work supports: continuing Education for BCH Staff, BCH Foundation Endowment scholarships and mini grants for BCH staff.

Did you know? The Ambassadors generate revenue to support these programs primarily through the BCH gift shop in addition to other fundraisers throughout the year.

Visit bch.org/ambassadors for more information about the BCH Ambassador Council.

From Left to Right: Judy Collins, Melodie Christal, Bev Campbell, Virginia Carducci, Nancy Vinson, Anne Gebhardt

Student Volunteers

Leah has spent over 400 hours volunteering in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and her support helps nurses better focus on their patients and prepare for incoming patients from the OR. She serves as a friendly compassionate aid to those who have undergone surgery, delivering patient blankets and transporting patients to their families for pick-up upon discharge.

Leah says, “In high school, I volunteered at my hometown hospital and gained a great passion for helping in the medical setting, especially in ways to help departments function properly so that various medical providers can give the most optimal care. Volunteering is important to me because I believe that everyone should give back to their community in whatever way is possible for them.”

Leo Hill Extraordinary Volunteer Awardee

Leslee Barker has been volunteering since 2009 in the Gift Shop, having served over 2,000 hours. She helps patients who come in to find the perfect gift to brighten their loved one’s day while they’re in the hospital. Leslee says “I love the environment – I am elderly at 85 years old and was a nurse at one time. I like getting to talk to people who are here for both sad and happy times.”

Did you know... Established in 2005 by Leo Hill, a former hospital board member and donor, the Leo Hill Extraordinary Volunteer award recognizes longevity of BCH volunteers? Leo Hill Award recipients have volunteered at BCH for at least 15 years or serve as a leader of one of the hospital’s volunteer leadership Boards or the BCH Ambassador Leadership Council.

Legacy Volunteers

Bill Bergen has volunteered over 1800 hours of his time so far, and counting, at the Emergency Department and Della Cava Family Medical Pavilion front desks. In the Emergency Department, he performs tasks to relieve techs and nurses so they can focus on patient care – stocking rooms, emptying linen hampers, positioning wheelchairs, filling blanket warmers, and helping to clean rooms after patients discharge from the unit. At Della Cava, he sorts and delivers mail for staff throughout the building, and helps to direct patients to their appointments, answering any questions along the way.

A retired paramedic, Bill says “to others who are thinking of volunteering at BCH, make sure you commit to being warm and friendly and have a genuine concern for patients and their families! Being able to help people with a laugh or a smile is what keeps me coming back here.”

Join us in extending our deepest gratitude to all our volunteers, past and present, for the incredible support they provide to our staff, our patients and our community.