Hospital communities are rapidly changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic — but our commitment to serving our members remains the same. We’d like to understand how this pandemic has impacted your hospital volunteer program so that we can better support you during this uncertain time. Please take a few minutes to fill out a short questionnaire by Friday, April 3.   

To the more than 50 hospitals who have already responded, thank you. Although many hospital volunteer programs are currently suspended, we’ve enjoyed learning how many volunteers continue making a difference in our hospitals and communities.

Here’s a brief sampling of what hospital volunteers are doing during this time.   

• Volunteers from Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas are writing thank you notes to hospital physicians and nurses. 
• Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center volunteers are creating greeting cards for patients receiving meals. 
• To keep staff fueled, auxiliary volunteers with Mercy Hospitals in Bakersfield are creating and delivering “snack packs” with candy, chips, nuts, etc. to each department within the hospital.
• The volunteer auxiliary group at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa opened an employee food pantry with perishable items allowing employees who are unable to get to the store to pick-up a couple of items.