I volunteer at CMMC during any vacation. I just started over the summer, and I have been loving it. I now have approximately 73 hours of community service there. YOU should volunteer at CMMC because it helps people, you learn your way around the hospital, the nurses and everyone are awesome, and it’s satisfying.

First of all, it not only helps the nurses, but it helps the patients and the visitors, too. When the nurses need a “plum pump” (a dual volumetric infusion system) or have small odd jobs, you can save them some time and do it for them. It’s not the same as doing chores at home because you feel responsible and happy to be there. If an inpatient needs to be taken to x-ray, you can transport them there and let the x-ray technicians know that they have arrived. It helps the entire hospital out when you are around to assist them. When a person’s family or friends come in to visit, you can show them to the wing and room in the hospital.

Second of all, you learn your way around the hospital and get to know how it works. If you are interested in the medical field, it’s good to know what it’s like. From this experience, I have seen how a hospital works. It’s like a small community. There are people who make the food, people who transport the food, and workers that clean the linens. There are also people who take out, the trash, people who wash the floors, and maintenance men who fix squeaky doors and small jobs. But don’t forget the nurses, doctors, CNAs, secretaries, visitors, medical record people, security, people who work the large machines (x-ray and ET scan, etc.), and the people at the front desk, coffee shop, and gift shop. There’s also a mailroom with workers in there and many volunteers. Everyone works together to make the patient’s stay as comfortable as possible.

The hospital may seem like a huge maze at first, but once you get to know it, it’s really easy to get around. I find that even though I work on T3 (a pediatric unit on the third floor), I know pretty much every place in the hospital. Once you get there, time flies by and the day is over before you know it.

Another reason is that the nurses are absolutely awesome! They are always kind and are willing to help me anytime. I have not met anyone at the hospital whom I haven’t liked; everyone there is kind. I once was lost on the first floor, so I stopped at a main desk and asked how to get to medical records. The young lady working there politely explained how to get there and said to come and see her if I needed anymore help. Like I said earlier, everyone is caring and kind, but I’d have to say that my favorite person at the hospital is Nancy. She is an excellent secretary on T3. On my very first day, I remember being scared to death. She was there from day one to help and guide me along. I doubt that I would volunteer as much as I do if she didn’t work there.

Finally, volunteering at CMMC is extremely satisfying. You have no idea how great is feels to discharge someone (take them to their car), and have them smile at you and say “thank you.” Just by the look, you know that they mean it. I once took an older man down to x-ray and although I knew he wasn’t feeling well at all, he never mentioned it. He asked me all about myself and really seemed interested in it. He even asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up. This is just one example of what nice people there are in the world.

With all of these reasons, how could you not want to volunteer at the hospital? How can you possibly stay away? If that’s not enough reasons … how about this? You get an awesome shirt that says “CMMC junior volunteers,” an ID tag with your name and “junior volunteer” on it, and … free lunch! How amazing is that!? I do it for the people, personally. But whatever your reasons, you should definitely think about volunteering, CMMC’s a cool place

p.s. For those of you who are over 18, you can be a senior volunteer.