PHOTO CAPTION: DKH adult volunteers, who together donated more than 20,000 worth of their time this past year, at DKH’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at Connecticut National Golf Club on April 13.

Day Kimball Healthcare Honors Volunteers at Annual Appreciation Luncheon

Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) recognized its more than 130 adult volunteers, who donated more than 20,000 hours this past year, with an appreciation luncheon on April 13.

The luncheon was held at the Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam where volunteers enjoyed food, raffles and laughter after receiving thanks from DKH Volunteer Services Coordinator Janet Johnson, DKH VP of Human Resources Jeffrey Corrigan, DKH Chief Medical Officer and VP, Medical Affairs and Quality Dr. John Graham, DKH Chief Nursing Officer and VP, Patient Services John O’Keefe, DKH Executive Director of DKH at Home Renee Smith, and DKH President & CEO Anne Diamond.

“Year after year, I am struck by what an amazing gift our volunteers give every day by choosing to share their precious time helping others,” said Janet Johnson, volunteer services coordinator. “And their time is just part of their many gifts. Our volunteers also give their skills, empathy, kindness and energy, and so much more. I am so grateful from the bottom of my heart for all that they give and everything they do for our staff and families!”

In her comments at the event, DKH President and CEO Anne Diamond said, “Volunteering is a very special calling, a special gift that one gives of themselves to patients, staff and our community. They make a huge difference in the way DKH provides care to our patients and their families, and they will never know how deeply they have touched the lives of our patients. We are so grateful for their service.”

During the program, 81 volunteers were awarded pins for significant amounts of hours given, ranging from 100 hours to 17,000 hours. The 17,000 hour achievement was celebrated by Roger Franklin of Putnam, who volunteers regularly in the DKH volunteer department as well as with DKH at Home’s Hospice and Palliative Care department, and serves as chair of the DKH Friends of Hospice Committee.

Eight volunteers received awards for dedicating years of service to Day Kimball of 10 years or more over the years. Award recipients were Elysia Bates, Yvette Brissette, Rosanne Gonyer, Susan Langman, and Paula West, each who celebrated 10 years of service; David Carter who celebrated 15 years of service; Carolynn Mann who celebrated 20 years of service; and Rilla Anderson who celebrated 25 years of service.

Day Kimball Healthcare adult volunteers can serve in 27 different departments throughout the entire organization assisting in many ways, including escorting patients and visitors; running errands, delivering newspapers, cards, flowers, and medications; providing clerical assistance in offices, and more. Hospice volunteers offer respite to the patient’s caregiver; provide transportation for patients and family members; run errands or grocery shop; plant gardens; offer massage, reflexology or healing touch; take photos; make decorative pins to commemorate loved ones; and fundraise for special needs of the patients.