Volunteers share their time and talents to help at UNCHA

People volunteer for many different reasons—some are looking for a change of scenery, others want to meet new people, share their skills, or develop new ones. Some are driven by the simple desire to give back and improve their communities. Whatever the motivation, all volunteers share a common goal: they want to be of service, make a difference, and have a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

More than 60 regular volunteers at UNC Health Appalachian (UNCHA) donate more than 8,500 hours a year to help us take care of our family, friends, and neighbors in the High Country. Throughout UNCHA, our volunteers come from all walks of life, but they are easy to spot. They wear blue vests and can be seen stocking nursing carts and patient rooms in the ICU or Med/Surg, disinfecting handrails in the hallways, cleaning or disinfecting infusion stations at the Cancer Center, working at the gift shops, offering to get a blanket for a patient in the Emergency Department (ED), helping visitors with directions, and supporting staff in every way they are able. Some of our volunteers even walk on four legs and wag their tails when they get cuddles from a patient.

Why do they do this?

According to Erin Tyler, Program Manager of Volunteer Services, about half of our active volunteers are college students, many of whom plan to one day work in the medical field. Another large percentage of our volunteers are retired and want to give back to their community.

Umamah Quadri, a pre-med student at App State has volunteered with UNCHA for the past year. She says that volunteering at the hospital, not only gives her the critical exposure that is crucial in her career aspirations, but it also keeps her grounded and reminds her why she’s going into the healthcare field. “You’re helping people at their most vulnerable and this is very rewarding,” she said.

For Liz Brandt, who has also been volunteering for a year with UNCHA, volunteering was a way for her to become engaged in the community she recently moved to. It allowed her an opportunity to meet people and “do something for the community and get out of the house.” She volunteers in the ED, Gift Shop and makes deliveries for the pharmacy throughout the hospital – including batches of chemo to the infusion suite at the Cancer Center.

“I like the diversity of the different areas where I work,” she shared. “Each place is unique. The Gift Shop is interesting. It’s right next to the ED, so people come in and want to talk with someone. We engage in these wonderful conversations.”

Barbara Bonham also enjoys talking with and helping visitors in the Gift Shop at Watauga Medical Center (WMC), where she regularly volunteers. A retired App State professor, Bonham began volunteering at the Cancer Center after her husband was diagnosed with cancer and they were there each week for his treatments. As a Gift Shop volunteer, she can tap into her creative skills.

What do they do?

Like all UNCHA employees, volunteers are required to undergo a background check, HIPAA training, and orientation, where topics like safety policies are reviewed. They also clock in and out each day. Though volunteers don’t provide clinical patient care, they do interact with patients in some of the units, so they are also required to have a Tuberculosis test.

Yelitza Perez, a pre-med student at App State, began volunteering in January. She volunteers two days a week and she spends her time in the ICU and Med/Surg, where she primarily refills nursing carts, disinfects railings and handles, as well as helps stock the rooms. She also refills and organizes the nutrition room.

Perez is planning to earn her CNA certification soon, so she sometimes shadows CNAs and helps them out in any way she can.

At the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, Glen Cutting spends his time each week “just doing what needs to be done” - bringing patients water, blankets, and cleaning as needed.

He says he wanted to get involved in the community and be helpful, particularly in healthcare, after serving in COVID operations in Wake County.

“I really enjoy talking to the patients and the people that come and visit,” he shared.

Though many volunteers come from a healthcare background, that’s not always the case and certainly not a prerequisite. Healthcare requires a wide variety of skill sets.

For instance, Madeline Zill helps in admissions at Cannon Memorial Hospital (CMH), where she has volunteered for 16 years. She even inspired her husband Roland Zill to volunteer. A retired engineer, he shares his talent and expertise with the Plant Operations team.

Volunteers helping with non-clinical tasks allow clinical staff to focus on patient care. Kristy Haynes, Director of Nursing Operations and Integrations, says, “Our Emergency Department volunteers are always eager to help — whether it’s cleaning and prepping rooms, stocking essential supplies, or offering comfort to patients and families during challenging moments. Their dedication and compassion help our team deliver the best care possible, and our entire staff is incredibly grateful. We simply couldn’t do it without them.”

Gratitude is contagious

“More thank you, more often” is the mantra personified by the Avery Healthcare Market Volunteer team. Their priority is making the staff there feel appreciated and valued. The 15 regular Avery Healthcare Market volunteers raise money by selling items they’ve donated in the Volunteer Corner of the Gift Shop. This money is used to buy special treats for the Avery staff, which the volunteers distribute each month.

Likewise, the staff appreciate the volunteers.

That genuine acknowledgment and appreciation are what motivates volunteers like Peter Moss.

“The county is fortunate to have a hospital of this caliber to be here,” he shared. “The thing that keeps me coming here is the smile on their faces.”

Moss manages the Gift Shop at CMH and chairs the Volunteer Board there. He says in addition to giving staff monthly encouragement, the volunteer team in Avery has also added two special spaces for staff and visitors to sit down and collect their thoughts. One is on the second floor, just past the stairs, and last year, with the help of the Avery County High School FFA, they installed a special garden in a small grassy area to the right of the hospital.

A staff member from CMH shared, “Our volunteers are wonderful. We depend on them too. We wouldn’t have a gift shop if it weren’t for them. They come around and give us encouragement with little quotes and candy. Sometimes that’s what people need during the day. It’s very much appreciated.”

Jennifer Becker, Clinical Nurse Manager of Oncology at Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, also shared her appreciation for this dedicated group, “Our volunteers generously donate their time and spirit, which is a true gift, and my team and I are deeply grateful. Our volunteers are an essential part of this healing community, and we are so lucky to have such kind people assist our patients and staff. We are thankful for the light they bring into the lives of our patients and their families each and every day. Their kindness, compassion, and quiet strength create a space of comfort and hope during some of life’s most challenging moments. Whether they are offering a warm blanket, a listening ear, or simply a gentle smile, their presence makes a lasting difference. Not only are they helping us care for people—they are also helping our patients feel seen, valued, and supported.”

For Mary Morgan, the Cancer Center volunteers supported her while she was undergoing treatment there as a patient. “One, in particular, showed me how to make turbans out of t-shirts when I lost all of my hair during chemo. They talked about their experience and just offered support,” she shared.

Once Morgan was cancer-free in 2012, she paid it forward by becoming heavily involved with the Cancer Resource Alliance.

Morgan continues to volunteer for the Avery Healthcare Market, where she has even taught art classes at the Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital and supported the staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene last fall.

“The people here are amazing to work with. The staff really appreciate what we do. We even have volunteers who work in the cafeteria to help serve food,” she shared. “It’s one of the most rewarding experiences possible.”

Benefits of Volunteering

Like Morgan, volunteers all know a secret. Volunteering is mutually beneficial.
Research has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially in people 65 and older. Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine. (1)

It’s hard to think about your problems when you’re helping someone else. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose. (1) Furthermore, it helps build and nurture relationships and socialization that we all need to be healthy and happy individuals.

Some volunteers learn new skills and some learn a new appreciation for the people they work with. Glen Cutting shared that his volunteering experience at the cancer center has been humbling in that he sees firsthand “how dedicated the nurses are, how close the family members are, and what is really important - everyone has a job and everyone is doing what they can.”

Another benefit of volunteering is that people who volunteer live longer than people who do not volunteer. (1) That’s probably due to a strong sense of purpose and a drive to stay active.

Madeline Zill shared that her sense of purpose and belonging at CMH surrounded by people who love her, helps her to feel much younger than her 87 years. She says, “It’s not something I have to do. It’s something I want to do.”

UNC Health Appalachian is especially grateful for generous individuals like Madeline who want to help us serve our community by volunteering their time and talents. Not all of us can be first responders or philanthropists, but we all can improve our community and make a lasting impact.

Interested in becoming a volunteer?

Volunteers play an integral role in helping our patients, visitors, and staff. They serve in a variety of areas throughout the healthcare system. Find out how you can become a UNC Health Appalachian Volunteer here.

Sources:

1 - https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-health-benefits-of-volunteering