Day Kimball Healthcare Honors Volunteers Who Gave Nearly 30,000 Hours Last Year

Photo Caption: L-R: Georgette Coderre of Putnam and Pamela Watts, Day Kimball Healthcare Director of Development. Mrs. Coderre was recognized for achieving 13,000 volunteer hours to Day Kimball throughout the years.

PUTNAM, CT - Day Kimball Healthcare recognized its more than 250 volunteers who donated nearly 30,000 hours last year with an appreciation luncheon during National Volunteer Week in April.

“I am proud and humbled to work with such a generous and dedicated group of people,” said Janet Johnson, volunteer services coordinator. “They give so much to this organization through their compassion, dedication, generosity and heartfelt service. Their commitment and enthusiasm is inspirational.”

At the luncheon, 78 volunteers were awarded pins for significant amounts of hours given, ranging from 100 hours to 13,000 hours. The 13,000 hour achievement was celebrated by Georgette Coderre of Putnam, who volunteers regularly at Day Kimball’s Development Office. Pamela Watts, Day Kimball director of development said, “Mrs. Georgette Coderre is our volunteer extraordinaire! She is 90 years old, and has given 13,000 hours of her time to Day Kimball Healthcare. At the end of the day, she also gives a hug to all the office workers before she leaves! We salute her and all our volunteers for their unselfish devotion and kindness.”

Eight volunteers received awards for dedicating years of service to Day Kimball of 20 or more. This included Margaret Koerner of Woodstock for 39 years, Elaine Mills of Danielson for 30 years, Janice Hoenig of Thompson for 28 years, Dorothy Lewis of Putnam for 24.5 years, Doris Gamelin of Danielson for 22.75 years, Arline Altmeier of Putnam for 22 years, Nancy Gale of Woodstock for 20 years and Jean Sheldon of Putnam for 20 years.

Day Kimball Healthcare volunteers serve many departments throughout the organization each day. The largest number of volunteers is in the escort role. In escort, volunteers transport patients, sort mail, deliver cards and flowers, transport lab specimens and more. Other departments such as Hospice & Palliative Care, Homecare, the Ambulatory Care Unit and the Emergency Department also require volunteers. Adults who would like to become volunteers must complete an application and go through the interview, criminal background check and health screening processes. For more information about volunteer opportunities at Day Kimball, call (860) 963-6458 or visit daykimball.org and click “Give to DKH.”