One hour at a time

Volunteers run Samaritan's gift shop

MOSES LAKE - In their teens. In their 90s.

Retired. New to town.

Despite their differences in age and reasons for being there, 20 employees at Samaritan Gift Shop have one big thing in common: They are volunteers.

National Volunteer Week is April 27 through May 3.

"One of the things the volunteers like about working there is it's such an upbeat place," said Bonnie Dirks, Samaritan Healthcare's volunteer coordinator and gift shop manager.

Dirks started volunteering at the gift shop in 1983, and started her two current positions in 1986.

She said volunteers meet a lot of people, all of whom are happy because they are shopping. Many people come in to buy merchandise in celebration of a new baby, Dirks added.

Volunteers typically work one four-hour shift each week at the gift shop, a place where all the profits return to the community.

"A lot of the customers come there just to shop because they know what it supports," Dirks said.

In the past, proceeds from the gift shop have contributed to an infant car seat program, new equipment and new educational programs, and $100,000 in education scholarships for employees.

"This year, all the profits from the gift shop will be used towards the purchase of a new digital mammography unit," Dirks said.

The gift shop is not the only place at Samaritan where volunteers can be found. Between Samaritan's three facilities there are 85 volunteers, including 10 to 12 chaplains.

Moses Lake resident Lu Jobin said this is her 18th year volunteering at the hospital. She started after her retirement as a teacher in the Moses Lake School District.

"I wanted something to do after I quit teaching, and wanted it to be something where there were people," Jobin said.

Jobin said she volunteered to do clerical work for different departments at the hospital.

"I really thought that's what I'd like, but it wasn't," she said.

Jobin said she feels like if she's helping to keep the gift shop open, she is doing more for more people.

Work includes cleaning, straightening shelves, and purchasing the candy and cards to fill the shelves.

She said another aspect of her job is giving people support. Even though staff don't ask questions, visitors will offer information about their situations.

"Sometimes they just want to talk, and you'll just listen," Jobin said.

She said the hospital is a great environment in which to work, and volunteers always know they are appreciated.

Volunteer Dona Kirby said she was looking for a place to volunteer last September, and decided she would volunteer at the hospital.

"I particularly asked for the gift shop because I didn't want to be in a room somewhere filing records. I wanted to be where the people are," Kirby said.

Kirby said she works Thursday afternoons, and every time she arrives there is new merchandise.

Thursdays are busy days, Kirby said, because people at least 50 years old receive a 20 percent discount on most items.

Dirks said she has people who volunteer because they are "alone, retired, bored, have just lost their spouse, have just moved here and don't have any connections."

Other people volunteer because they are young and in need of pre-employment experience or volunteer hours.

Dirks said for people who volunteer at least 200 hours, she will write a letter of recommendation for employment or scholarships.

She said when people retire, they don't know what to do with themselves, and volunteering gives them the feeling they are still valuable.

"Statistics have proven that people who volunteer live longer, healthier lives because it creates that feeling of well being and giving something back," Dirks said.

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old to apply, and they can transfer to other parts of the hospital at 16 years old.

"I am in need of more volunteers in the evenings and weekends," Dirks noted.

The gift shop is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from approximately noon to 4 p.m.

For more information about volunteering, call Bonnie Dirks at 509-764-2905.