Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2016 49 the volunteer chair for the local Port Perry hospital said, “we need your help!” The plea spoken at this week’s monthly volun- teer meeting was heard across the board or from every Auxiliary committee within the local hospital. With the average age creeping upwards of seventy five, the lack of new recruits threatens the viability of vol- unteer services at the local hospital. Not that the group of mostly ladies will disappear, but they may struggle with lower financial contributions and hours of operation. This means the gift shop at the hospital might not be open when you visit, or the second hand store on Mary Street may have to shrink their hours of operation. A two year decline! “We looked at the numbers last week,” Sandra Spiers chair of the Friendly Visit program said, “and found a two year decline.” In 2014, the local hospital recruited and maintained over fifteen new volunteers. But in 2015 and 2016, the organization only found five women each year or a significantly lower number. The impact on the organization means the current members are stretched to their volunteer max. Just four hours a month We need you! “Most people think they need to give and give,” Ms. Spiers said, “but that’s not true. If you can volunteer four hours a month then you’ve made a differ- ence to a Port Perry patient and that’s all we need, just four hours.” If you like to talk with patients, the group has three in-hospital programs which run throughout the week, and on weekends during the day and at night. Should the hospital environment not appeal, you can vol- unteer off-site in a busy not-for-profit retail environment or participate in one of the four special event days. Volunteer spirit “I started volunteering when I was in high school,” Ms. Spiers said. My two daughters have been beside me throughout my volunteer life and continue to support my current role.” The message here rings out loud and clear. Get involved and get your children involved to fuel the supply for the next generation. Give back to your community by volunteering at the local hospital. “We donated half the funds collected at the first annual Port Perry Rib Fest to the local hospital,” the Auxiliary President, Barb Brady said, “over eight thousand dollars.” Additionally the group’s total dona- tions towards the hospital’s renovations will top three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” But regardless of the dollar amount, the most important element to any volunteer group continues to be their base or member- ship. That’s you – the people! If you can give back to your local Port Perry Hospital, please contact Linda Romano at 905-985-0220 or romanolyn@sympatico.ca Sandra Spiers, Friendly Visit Chairperson. Where have all the Volunteers Gone? “HeLP,”