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June 5, 2014
To say the volunteers at Terrebonne General Medical Center work behind the scenes from the staff of the hospital would be inaccurate.
The hospital’s volunteers are there to provide friendly faces and those extra services that make your time at the hospital a little easier.
Volunteer coordinator Josh Faucheux said the volunteers dedicate many hours to the hospital and their efforts are recognized as important as anyone else at the ever-growing Houma facility.
“TGMC wouldn’t be as friendly without them,” Faucheux said. “We’re like a family here and the volunteers are a part of it. We couldn’t function without them.”
The amount of years each volunteer dedicates to the program varies. TGMC’s Volunteer of the Year Linda Price has been sharing her time since 2000 – approximately 1,200 hours just last year.
Price was nominated by her fellow members of the volunteer auxiliary, Faucheux said. “Everybody loves her. People look forward to seeing her smile.”
“I was excited, thrilled and surprised,” Price said about her award.
One of Price’s friends volunteered for more than 18 years and recruited her to volunteer service.
“I wish we could get more volunteers,” Price said, who works two days a week. “Everyone who comes really enjoys it by helping and serving others.”
When Price started 14 years ago, there were more volunteers than there are currently, she said.
Faucheux said 10 years ago the approximate number of volunteers totaled near 100. Now, TGMC has 37 active adult volunteers, 25 junior volunteers and between five to 10 student volunteers.
“Every summer we take 25 junior volunteers who are students 14 to 17 years of age in high school and we allow them to work with adult volunteers in various departments,” Faucheux said.
The level of jobs for volunteers to complete ranges anywhere from delivering flowers, answering phones, helping outpatients, working in the gift the shop or assisting in the marketing department.
Student volunteers come to the hospital to complete class credits for their degrees from Nicholls State University, Fletcher Technical Community College and surrounding higher learning institutions.
“The volunteers this past year have given 7,000 hours to the hospital,” Faucheux said.
The volunteers also coordinate fundraisers such as a jewelry and book sales where all the proceeds are directed back to programs such as the hospital’s Ladies Night Out and Rooftop Roundup.
But without renewed interest in the volunteer auxiliary, the nurturing personalities working the floors of TGMC may cease to exist.
“We’d love to have a volunteer on every corner in every hall directing patients and communicating with them, but we’re not there yet,” Faucheux said. “People are taking care of their grandkids and leading active lifestyles so volunteering has gone down across the country in recent years.”
Price said she enjoys her tasks at the hospital, and thinks more people would also enjoy volunteering as an extra hobby.
“It’s good to be with the people,” she said of the hospital staff and patients. “They appreciate your help.”
Anyone who wants to lend a helping hand at the hospital is encouraged to visit TGMC’s website to learn more about volunteer services under the “Giving” tab or contact Faucheux at (985) 858-7133.
Volunteers are eligible for free Tuberculosis screenings annually and flu vaccines when available.
Faucheux said volunteers are invited to hospital functions such as their Christmas party and national hospital week celebrations.
“I try to make it easy for them because we want as many volunteers as possible,” he said about signing up to volunteer. “The biggest benefit they can have is the sense of giving back, and the sense of community they have amongst themselves and within the hospital.”
Members of Terrebonne General Medical Center’s Volunteer Auxiliary are pictured in front of the hospital. Pictured from left: Murphy Arceneaux, Gertrude Arceneaux, Jimmi Mitchel, David Braden, Anita Kelpsh, Gregory Champagne, Glenda “Dell” Aucoin, Linda Price, Gail Arsena, A.J. Songe, Nettie Landry, Linda Ricca, Elton Landry, Gloria Grayson, Linda Patterson, Loney Grabert, Hilda Portier, Eurlie Williams, Sheila Leblanc, Donna Price and Joshuah Faucheux.
