Skip to content

Bonnyville Hospital thanks their volunteers

For over three decades, Jeanette Bourget has been a volunteer. After having a disabled daughter in her early 20s, she became her own ambulance to drive her to different surgeries she needed.
Hospitalvolunteer001web
The Bonnyville Health Centre took an evening to thank their volunteers for all that they do.

For over three decades, Jeanette Bourget has been a volunteer.

After having a disabled daughter in her early 20s, she became her own ambulance to drive her to different surgeries she needed.

"I more or less (spent) my life in hospitals," she explained. "When it began, I decided a hospital would be my second home."

Bourget was among the many people honoured by the local hospital during their volunteer appreciation event on Thursday, May 9.

"Each year, the Bonnyville Health Centre acknowledges the individuals and groups who have volunteered their time to enrich the lives of, not only the long-term care residents but all the patients within the hospital," noted Wendy Campbell, recreation therapist and organizer of the evening.

Along with enjoying a meal, attendees were given pins as a thank you for everything they've done.

Over 7,200 hours were put in by those who excepted nothing in return for their time at the local healthcare centre.

"I know there's no way recreation therapy would have been recreation therapy without volunteers, so it's very important for us," Campbell expressed.

James Andersen, site administrator for the hospital, described the numbers as "phenomenal." After doing some quick math, he realized the amount of time spent volunteering equals roughly three and a half years of work by a full-time employee. The accomplishment isn't "something to be taken lightly," Andersen expressed.

When he helped out at the hospital gala in February, he didn't feel like he had done a whole lot to help.

"I felt like I didn't do very much, but one of the foundation board members came up to me and said, 'don't ever feel like when you volunteer that you aren't doing very much, because that's one task that somebody else doesn't have to do.'"

Bourget described it as a privilege to be able to help out when she can.

"After my daughter died, I always found it... kept me focused and grounded, because when you're faced with a situation in life that you have no control over, hopefully it makes you grow in many aspects," she expressed.

For Shirley McRae, who's been volunteering at the health centre for 17 years, it's her love of giving back that keeps her volunteering.

"I can't really get a full-time job, so coming here... I can do my own hours and come whenever I want."

Bourget and MacRae agreed the event is a nice way for the hospital to show their appreciation for everything that they do.

Bourget added, "I enjoy seeing the people, and those that are so fervent and so loyal to volunteerism."

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks