Volunteers give, while getting something back

Samaritan Hospital gift shop helper found that serving others became her habit of choice

Ten years ago, Julia Kemmer learned the magnitude of her role while working the cash register at Samaritan Hospital's gift shop.

As a volunteer in a people-packed, emotion-driven place, Kemmer hears it all. New dads wanting just the right gift for a new baby. Longtime friends wanting to comfort a sick friend with a gift.

That particular day was no different. One of her gift shop customers had just learned of his diagnosis with prostate cancer. At that time, Kemmer's brother had recently died from the disease.

The chance meeting turned out to be just what both people needed. The man was able to talk about his fears and Kemmer comforted him. Prostate cancer wasn't a death sentence, because he was diagnosed early on.

"It helped me with the loss of my brother," Kemmer, now 88, said.

Today, Kemmer still volunteers at the gift shop once a week for four-hour shifts. She is part-counselor, part-cashier and part-personal shopper for friends and strangers alike.

"It's become a habit. It's very rewarding for me," Kemmer said.

Her paid experience working in customer service positions with the former People's National Bank in Moses Lake, the now Chelan County PUD and in her late husband's service station/garage business only fueled her desire to work with people even more.

But she said what she really likes is when the "new daddies" come in, needing help with a gift selection.

"That's what makes it interesting," Kemmer said.

Kemmer's husband died in 1988 and she has outlived many of her friends. As a result, volunteering has filled a void in her life.

"If I don't contact people, I'm missing something, because there's more than just me," Kemmer said. "I'm sure I'm receiving more than I'm giving."

Samaritan's volunteer coordinator, Bonnie Dirks, agrees. Dirks referred to a study she had read in a professional publication, which said that volunteers are healthier and live longer because they have a purpose.

"It's a huge benefit what volunteering does for people," Dirks said. Organizations benefit too. Kemmer has put in over 4,000 hours during her nearly 20 years of service to Samaritan. Collectively, Samaritan's volunteers give over 10,000 hours per year, Dirks added.

In turn, they're recognized for their hard work. Samaritan is giving a luncheon to celebrate Volunteer Week next week and plans to hold a recognition dinner in May for its volunteers.

Samaritan has over 100 volunteers. They work in physical therapy, radiology, medical records, the information desks at Pioneer Medical Center and Samaritan, education, human resources, volunteers' office and other departments of the hospital.

It appears that anyone can volunteer at Samaritan. The hospital has had teenagers, empty-nesters, retirees and people who use wheelchairs giving their time and talents to the facility.

Today, Dirks is looking for volunteers in an unchartered territory: the short-stay surgical area of the hospital.

The surgery liaison volunteer will serve as the communication link between the patient's family and hospital staff.

Here's how it works: if a surgery takes longer than planned, the volunteer will make sure the family knows and isn't kept waiting without all the pertinent information.

For more information about volunteering at Samaritan, contact Dirks at (509) 766-1316.