Auxiliary honors Palmerton hospital volunteers

The Palmerton Hospital Auxiliary paid homage to their hardworking volunteers and inducted new recruits during a special ceremony at St. Luke’s Palmerton Campus on Thursday afternoon.

“Today, we’re having our volunteer recognition and new member tea. We’re going to honor our new members, and we’re going to present service pins and certificates to those who have achieved a milestone in volunteer hours,” auxiliary President Joann Kercsmar said.

Following an introduction by Kercsmar, director of fund development Joe Guardiani welcomed the volunteers.

“I want to offer my congratulations to all of you who will be getting pins today, it’s a wonderful testament to your spirit and volunteerism, and a welcome to all the new volunteers,” Guardiani said before presenting the Serenity Prayer.

President of St. Luke’s Palmerton Campus and Gnaden Huetten Terry Purcell took to the podium to offer his appreciation to the volunteers on behalf of the hospitals.

“It’s important for you to know that what you do makes a difference,” Purcell said.

“Words cannot adequately express the gratitude that I, the management team, the board and our employees wish to convey. Please know that your volunteerism is recognized, appreciated, valued and cherished. We thank you, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. Thank you for all that you do for our hospital employees and our patients.”

The auxiliary welcomed 30 new members who had joined since April 2017 — several who had already racked up enough hours to earn awards themselves — by having those in attendance stand and recite the volunteer pledge.

“Believing that the hospital has a real need of my services as a volunteer worker, I will be punctual and conscientious in the fulfillment of my duties and accept supervision graciously. I will consider as confidential all information which I may hear directly or indirectly concerning a patient, doctor or any member of the personnel, and will not seek information in regard to a patient. I will take any problems, criticisms or suggestion to the Director of Volunteers. I will endeavor to make my work of the highest quality. I will uphold the traditions and standards of this hospital and will interpret them to the community at large,” the group said in unison.

Michele Belovich-Faust was one of the rookies, though she has had plenty of hospital experience over the course of her life.

“I’ve always been in the hospital. My dad was an oral surgeon, and he operated here, at Gnaden Huetten, Coaldale and I was a candy-striper growing up. I went to Cedar Crest to become a nurse, and now that I’m 60 and I’m semiretired, I just love to volunteer. I love the hospital, I love the hospital atmosphere. It’s in my blood,” she said.

“I feel really honored to be a volunteer with all of these women that have put so many hours in. I admire them for all their service, all the time they’ve given, their commitment, I think it’s wonderful, and all the hours these women put in, it’s amazing.”

Following the induction, Kercsmar recognized those who had accumulated at least 50 hours of service with a certificate of appreciation, and those who had put in at least 100 hours with a special pin.

Kercsmar said the rate of volunteers at many institutes has dropped off, and those who continue to provide their services deserve to be recognized for their great efforts.

“We really want to honor these people who have given so much of their time. And we have a whole list of new members which we are very grateful for. Since last April, volunteerism is really on the rise with us, so we really appreciate their help,” she said.

Alice Frable was a standout of the group, with more than 9,000 hours of volunteer service to her credit. A proud but humble volunteer, she has always enjoyed pitching in at the hospital.

“My daughters were just very small when I started. I had a part-time job when I started working at the Nearly New. Then, when the girls got bigger and wanted to do things at school, I didn’t have time. Then I came back, and my husband and I worked together one whole day a week. He died four years ago, but I just keep going,” Frable said.

“I do all of the scheduling for the people at the Nearly New. It’s neat. I love people, and I can talk to anybody.”

Even with such an incredible roster of dedicated volunteers, the auxiliary is always in need of more, Kercsmar said. Annual dues are only $3 to join the auxiliary, though volunteer candidates do have to have an initial interview to participate. When they’re ready to help out, though, there are plenty of options.

“They can work in the Nearly New Shop, the Owl’s Nest Gift Shop, they can work at adult day care, they can volunteer in the hospital doing mail or other clerical work, and they can help at fundraisers,” Kercsmar said.