DRMC volunteers put in more than 34,000 hours

Betty Irby mans the hospital’s information desk because she loves helping people.

She knows many people who walk through the main entrance doors of Danville Regional Medical Center may feel distressed and just want to see their loved ones. That’s why she vol-unteers four to 12 hours a week greeting people.

“They want friendly and helpful faces as soon as they come in,” Irby said. “I’m a people person. This is my way of giving back, keeping busy.”

Irby is one of 127 active hospital volunteers who help out in diverse ways — from knitting baby booties and crafting puppets to assisting in the child care center or patient relations.

From Jan. 1 to Dec. 12 this past year, volunteers put in 34,113 hours of work, according to data from the hospital’s volunteer services department. Volunteers who devote 50 hours or more make up the Danville Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.

“They’re invaluable,” CEO Jerel Humphrey said at the volunteer Christmas dinner. “They allow us to focus on our patients in a more patient-friendly fashion with their warm and smiling faces.”

Irby had always wanted to volunteer in some capacity, but working full-time prevented her from doing so. After working a tollbooth on the Garden State Parkway for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority for 29 years, she and her husband retired in Danville three years ago.

In January, she started volunteering at DRMC. Her years of greeting people on the parkway prepared her for the new role.

Like Irby, Helen Gantsoudes of Danville enjoys giving back. She started volunteering 30 years ago when a neighbor introduced her to the world of hospital volunteer services. Now, she is the head volunteer for making hand puppets for child patients.

“A little kid might be crying. When they get a little puppet, a big smile comes on their face and they enjoy it,” Gantsoudes said. “They just like it. It gives them comfort.”

Gantsoudes still has the puppet her son received at the hospital more than 40 years ago. Besides helping people, Gantsoudes comes on Tuesdays with six or more volunteers as a social outing. The volunteers enjoy the work and each other.

They also sew mastectomy pillows with help from the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Re-covery program. Breast cancer patients can put the pillows under their arms or behind their backs.

Patients can take home the puppets and pillows.

Volunteer Zane Evans makes it his mission to care for patient needs. Volunteers in patient relations undergo extra training to act as patient liaisons.

Evans, who comes five days a week, visits patient rooms and asks about the care, the room equipment or just generally what he can do. The 15-year volunteer then writes a report and calls departments to explain any concerns or needs.

Evans has been a patient in the hospital and better understands the field because his wife was a registered nurse. He has always received wonderful attention and care at the hospital and knows first-hand its importance.

He grew up in Danville, but left in 1955 to travel the world and served to help lead textile and real estate companies. He admits he has a knack for finding solutions.

Because he saw so much need in the world, he started volunteering in 1994 after coming back to Danville. Additionally, he conducts presentations to church groups and organizations to garner support for the Free Clinic of Danville, where he also volunteers.

He feels so satisfied talking with patients that he almost feels “guilty.”

“People still want someone to talk to, someone who is generally interested in them,” Evans said. “Everyone can do something to make a difference.”