FARMINGTON – A couple of volunteers sit and wait for business Wednesday morning in the vestibule of Franklin Memorial Hospital.

A friendly smile and a quick “Good Morning!” greet patients and visitors alike. But, John Wilbur of Farmington and Malcolm Orff of East Wilton have other duties to perform during their four-hour Wednesday volunteer stint.

“We park cars, assist people getting in and out of their cars, help with wheelchairs and direct people,” Wilbur said.

But one of those duties isn’t always used to the max.

“A lot of people know there is a parking valet service but they don’t know that they can use it for free,” he added. “There is no charge and no tips are accepted….we do it out of love.”

“Well… maybe adoration and caring,” Orff jokingly chipped in.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, anyone can pull up under the canopy and give their keys to a set of volunteers who promptly park the car in a reserved parking area close to the door. The car owner gets a number while one of the volunteer logs the name, date and type of vehicle. Keys are hung close behind the volunteers.

Rainy and snowy days are the busiest, they said, but so far this sunny morning only a few had chose to forgo the usual turns around the parking lot looking for a space.

But that didn’t mean the men weren’t busy.

“There’s a lot of foot traffic coming through that door,” Orff said. “One morning, we counted 316 people who passed through the electric door of the hospital during the four hours we were here.”

“I’ve seen people that I haven’t seen for 20 years,” Orff added as he rose to help an elderly couple entering the hospital.

Approximately 15 to 20 volunteers tend the door and park cars throughout the week including a husband and wife team, Wilbur said. She does the writing and he does the parking, he added.

The hospital program boasts more than 250 volunteers.

After 28 years serving as manager of the Farmers Union in Farmington, Wilbur said he missed the store and missed seeing people after he retired. With the volunteer position, he gets to see a lot of old customers and friends, he said. He also volunteers another day in the mail room.

“I love it. It’s pleasant and people work together,” he said.