AHS to celebrate National Volunteer Week April 6-12

Alberta Health Services is celebrating volunteers the week of April 6-12. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting patients, residents, families, and staff.

Last year, 2,600 volunteers contributed more than 141,888 hours in health-care facilities across Southern Alberta. They are:

• entertaining patients, residents and families through music, pet visits, games, and outings;
• serving as members of local Auxiliaries, Foundations, Friends and Associations to provide much needed funding for programs and services; 
• supporting staff and patients in clinical areas, such as laboratories, diagnostic imaging, nursing units, pre-op assessment, and more; and 
• assisting with general duties, including driving patients to medical appointments, cleaning toys, helping with meals, photocopying, folding linens, delivering patient mail, collecting wheelchairs, providing spiritual care and support, recycling and more.

During National Volunteer Week, some facilities, such as Chinook Regional Hospital, will be setting up displays in tribute to our volunteers. They’ll answer your questions about volunteer opportunities and sign up new volunteers.

AHS is always looking for volunteers. We have a variety of teen volunteer programs, which help local youth gain valuable career and volunteer experience. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, contact a Coordinator of Volunteer Resources at a health-care facility in your community.

National Volunteer Week was first celebrated in 1943 to focus attention on the home front contributions of women during World War II. National Volunteer Week evolved in the late 1960's to include all community volunteers. Today, it is Canada's largest celebration in honour of volunteers.