Crozer-Keystone Celebrates "the Heart of the Hospital" during National Volunteer Week

Crozer-Keystone will observe National Volunteer Week, Apr. 12-18, by honoring its volunteers — a dedicated group of over 300 people, who have a crucial impact not just on our patients, but on our hospitals.

“Volunteers have a substantial impact on our hospitals,” says Janet Kalup, director of Volunteer Services for Crozer-Keystone Health System.

Most volunteers are recent retirees and local students. They volunteer in many different departments, including gift shops, pediatrics, pharmacy, admissions, discharges, escort services, fundraising activities and cancer centers.

Volunteering leaves an impact not only on Crozer-Keystone’s hospitals and patients, but also on the volunteers. If you ask volunteers to name their favorite or most rewarding part of working at the hospital, they pause, take a moment to think and then — with a big smile — tell their story.

“Most volunteers say there is nothing better than knowing they have helped someone in need. It doesn’t matter if a volunteer commits to an hour or four hours; it makes a difference to the ones who are being helped,” Kalup says.

“Thank you, all of you, for your dedication and commitment to the Crozer Keystone Health System, Kalup says. “You are the best of the best.”

Jane Nelson, connecting with patients...

Jane Nelson has been a volunteer at Delaware County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) for 1 1/2 years, working in patient advocacy and at the volunteer desk. She started volunteering because her husband was in treatment for cancer at DCMH. She says there is a wonderful sense of satisfaction in helping others by giving back. When asked about the most rewarding aspect, Nelson tells a story of a recent visit with a patient who was unable to talk. The patient pulled out a piece of paper and wrote, “Thank you for visiting and God Bless.” Nelson still has that piece of paper.

Nancy Sides, doing something nice for others...

Nancy Sides has been volunteering at the front desk of Taylor Hospital for two years. She worked at Taylor for 35 years and, after retiring, felt the pull to give back. Side’s main responsibilities include answering and transferring phone calls and directing patients and visitors. She says she loves seeing the people that she worked with and being able to do something nice for others.

Dolores Hanley, freely giving ...

Dolores Hanley is a volunteer at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. After her husband passed away, she started driving a woman at her church to her appointments one day a week because the woman could no longer drive. This led to volunteering at the hospital. Hanley began her journey in 2002 working in the volunteer office and bagging candy for the gift shop; today she works at the front desk. Hanley’s favorite part is giving back to others and working with her fellow volunteers. She feels that at a certain stage of life, one needs to give back to others without receiving money and other material rewards.

Peg Hoopes, experiencing the meaning of life ...

Peg Hoopes has been part of the Crozer-Keystone family since 1968, working at every hospital as well as in local nursing homes. After she retired, she came back as a volunteer — over 15 years ago. Working at the front desk of Springfield Hospital, she enjoys meeting different people and watching patients walk out of the hospital in better condition than when they came in. Hoopes says her favorite part of volunteering is “just being here — you always meet a new friend. Helping people is what life is all about.

These are just four of the 336 stories that Crozer-Keystone volunteers could tell. They give more than just their time; they also give their compassion, generosity and bubbly personalities. And that’s why they are “the heart of the hospital.”