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Toms River, N.J., June 27, 2003 – Taking a look around Community Medical Center, one can see quite obviously that a variety of employees, from nurses to technicians, clerical staff to administrators, maintenance personnel to security guards, keep the facility running like a well-oiled machine. Upon second glance, however, another group of individuals is noticeable – the friendly faces and helpful individuals dressed in pastel-colored vests who can be found in just about every department of the hospital. These are the facility’s volunteer force, whose help and assistance is as valuable as any paid employee.
In the year 2002 alone, 1,241 volunteers – men and women both young and old – donated 210,555 hours of service to Community Medical Center. According to the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, a national organization of volunteer resources, this time would equate to paying salaried employees $3,482,579, based on the national average hourly wage of $16.54.
Nancy L. Wollen, Executive Director of Community Medical Center, said, “We are so very proud of our dedicated volunteers, and wish to offer our heartfelt thanks and recognition for their ongoing efforts to help make our hospital a better place. Their hard work is an integral part of the every day functionality of Community Medical Center. They make profound differences in the lives of the many patients, staff and visitors they touch every day.”
To show its appreciation for the exceptional and heartfelt work performed by the volunteers, Community Medical Center hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, June 26 at the Chateau Grand on Route 9 in Lakewood.
During the luncheon, volunteers who have given 100 hours or more during the past year were presented with an award. This year, two individuals in particular were honored for their historical volunteerism.
Harriet Lappin, 71, of Toms River, has been volunteering at the hospital for 39 years; a mere three years after the facility opened its doors to the public.
Passuth is a very dedicated volunteer, continuing to give of her time throughout the years, even while going through a kidney transplant. Currently Lappin volunteers in the Volunteer Resource Center answering phones, however she has worked in departments all over the hospital throughout the past nearly four decades.
Josephine Manson, 71, of Toms River, was also recognized at the luncheon for donating 25,000 hours of service since 1995. She volunteered 3,700 hours in the year 2002 alone. For her dedication, Josephine has now given the most hours of any volunteer in the history of Community Medical Center.
The Volunteer Resource Center at Community Medical Center provides hospital departments with an active volunteer network. Volunteers give their support in several ways, from delivering flowers and mail to filing or answering phones. Volunteer positions are available at all of Community Medical Center’s sites, including the main hospital, the Lighthouse, the Center for Kids & Family, Sandcastles Day Care Center, Second Time Around Consignment Shop, and the Center for Women’s Health.
For more information or to inquire about volunteering, call
(732) 557-8129.
Community Medical Center (CMC) is an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas
Health Care System, the largest integrated health care delivery
system in New Jersey, with nine acute care hospitals, nine nursing
homes, five ambulatory care facilities, three geriatric centers,
three assisted living residencies, a freestanding 100-bed inpatient
psychiatric facility and a statewide behavioral health network.
Located in Toms River, Community is a fully accredited, acute-care
596-bed facility offering the most advanced, ultra-modern diagnostic
and treatment services, including emergency and urgent care, laser
and arthroscopic surgery, maternity and a Level II special care
nursery and pediatrics unit. CMC offers the Community Regional
Cancer Center; state-of-the-art Radiation Oncology; a Renal Dialysis
Center; a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, as well as general
medical and health care services to the residents of Ocean County;
and the Center for Kids and Family with sites located in Toms River
and Lacey. Community Medical Center has been awarded the esteemed
Magnet Status for Nursing Excellence from the American Nurses Association's
Credentialing Center (ANCC).
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