Dynamic Duo serves hospital for 5 decades
Carol Jean Price joined the Kootenai Health Auxiliary in 1974 after seeing an ad in the newspaper. She has worked in many areas of the hospital, beginning with the Surgery wing. She started out making patient charts, running errands and escorting patients to X-ray. Rather quickly, she was recognized as a universal volunteer in almost any department. By 1980, she was tracking and recording all auxiliary volunteer hours for the hospital. She served as the President of the Kootenai Medical Center Auxiliary for two years in 1983-84, and later served three years on the Council of Auxiliaries for the Idaho Hospital Association.
In 1988, Price was asked to start the volunteer program for the Cancer Center. She served for 5 months in the volunteer role to see what the center would actually need in the way of duties to be performed. She has helped many patients be more comfortable through chemotherapy, and her volunteers bring patients snacks, reading materials, warm blankets and a caring hand. She is still in charge of this program today, and her husband, now retired, volunteers by her side.
Marilyn Miller began her volunteer career in 1998 after she retired with 26 years with the state of Idaho. She first helped in ICU and CCU. Her duties included putting patient packets together and New Mother Kits for the birthing center. After 11 years, she has landed in the role of chairperson for the Kootenai Health gift shop, front desk reception and delivery. The gift shop is operated by the auxiliary and helps to support the Hospital Foundation. Miller is the smile behind the desk that helps customers "pick out just the right card" and directs visitors to their loved ones. As the chairperson, she must fill-in for others when they cannot attend their shifts.
The Kootenai Auxiliary is made up of nearly 200 men and women, who provide 15 different services to hospital patients, their family members and staff. An autonomous organization, managed and operated by an elected board of officers, the Auxiliary has been providing services to the hospital since it's founding in 1967. Both Price and Miller were serving in 2003, when the Auxiliary made a $50,000 contribution to the Kootenai Health Foundation and its effort to raise $1.2 million for the Kootenai Heart Center. In addition, the group pledged an additional $50,000 to the Kootenai Health Foundation for 2004.
The auxiliary asks members to provide 40 hours of volunteer service annually. Hours are diligently tracked from the day a volunteer starts with the organization. Each year in the fall, volunteers are recognized for their hours of service with an annual pin. Price volunteers at least 12 hours a week. In her 39 years, Price has served a total of 16,400 hours. Miller has volunteered between 4-5,000 hours since 2002 and logs anywhere between 4 to 20 hours per week at the hospital.
Price shared the story of how her hospital volunteerism has impacted her, "In 1940, we had a great aunt and her husband live with us. She was very special to me ... she became ill and passed away. It was hard for me as a 10 year-old to understand the word 'CANCER' when it was mentioned ... I felt my work with the Cancer Center was something my aunt would have wanted me to do."
Miller boasts, "I feel proud to be a part of it. In the years I have volunteered, the auxiliary has helped buy equipment for the Cancer Center, buy beds for Juvenile Behavioral Health, helped with financing the Coffee stand in the cafeteria and remodeling of the waiting areas on second and third floors. Last year, the auxiliary donated $100,000 to the new Neo-natal Department and Electrophysiology."
These phenomenal ladies have been nominated for the LOVE award: L-Leader, O-Of, V-Volunteer, E-Excellence. This is given to a volunteer by the Idaho Hospital Association, after being nominated state-wide by their organization. Price was fortunate to be the recipient of the award in 2000, and reflects, "This was a complete surprise to me." Miller was nominated last year, and although, she did not win the award, she felt honored to have been nominated.
"Volunteering is about being there when someone needs a little help and a smile," Price modestly states. "The repeated thank yous that we receive from patients and families say it all. It warms your heart and brings tears to your eyes."
Carol Jean Price, originally an eastern girl, raised two sons and believes that Idaho is the best place to raise a family. She and her husband will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary this summer. Marilyn Miller was born and raised in Coeur d'Alene, has three children, three grandchildren and one great grandchild, also all born and raised here. Visit www.kootenaihealth.org for more information on volunteering at Kootenai Health.
Volunteer Opportunity - CASA for Children
Court Appointed Special Advocates for children under the Child Protection Act in Idaho are needed. North Idaho CASA serves the five counties of the First Judicial District focusing on three main objectives: To serve as fact finders for the judges by thoroughly researching the circumstances surrounding the sheltering of assigned children; to speak for the child in the courtroom, focusing exclusively on the child's best interest; and to continue to monitor the child's circumstances during the life of the case, helping to ensure that the child makes it to a stable, permanent home as soon as possible.
North Idaho CASA is actively seeking volunteers in order to meet the demands of the child protection system. Training sessions will be starting in April and May.
Get Connected!
The United Way of Kootenai County Volunteer Center
* "One-Stop Volunteer Resource Center" for the whole community
* Ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities
* TAKE ACTION
Caool 208.667.8112 or visit the
United Way's Volunteer Center website
www.kootenaiunitedway.org
GIVE. ADVOCATE.VOLUNTEER