CCH celebrates volunteers

Volunteering is a very direct way for people to give back to their community and make a meaningful difference. At Castro County Healthcare (CCH), volunteers play an essential role in providing compassionate healthcare services to patients, and their contribution is highly valued.

National Volunteer Week, which will be observed from April 21 to 27 this year, is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the selfless contributions of volunteers and community members who give their time and skills to help others.

“Our volunteers are crucial to the success of the hospital district, whether they are offering assistance or participating in important fundraising activities.,” says Elisha Rosier, CEO at CCH. “The volunteers generously donate their time and skills to make a positive impact every day.”

Volunteers in the CCH Auxiliary assist throughout the hospital district. Most importantly, the group organizes fundraising initiatives throughout the year. Revenues generated through the volunteer group benefit essential hospital programs and help fund equipment upgrades.

National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 by a presidential proclamation signed by Richard Nixon. Since then, each U.S. president and many governors, mayors, and other elected offi cials have signed a proclamation each year celebrating National Volunteer Week.

Nearly one-quarter of Americans volunteer, according to a 2016 survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Corporation for National and Community Service estimates that approximately 22.99 percent of Texans volunteer.

Beyond helping individuals and local organizations, research has shown that volunteering provides many benefits, including increasing a person’s confidence, reducing loneliness, improving mental health, and promoting happiness and a sense of well-being.

Most recently, the hospital auxiliary made an important investment to enhance the patient experience by purchasing 16 high-quality glass boards for each patient room. These glass boards are designed to allow patients to easily record their pain levels, which can then be used by the medical staff to better understand the patient’s needs and provide more personalized care.

Additionally, the glass boards are outfitted with spaces that enable the nursing staff to record important patient information, such as medication schedules, vital signs, and other details critical for providing effective medical treatment.

In the past, the auxiliary has used fundraising resources to purchase a variety of equipment upgrades throughout the hospital. At the Medical Center of Dimmitt, the auxiliary was able to purchase a Doppler ultrasound for obstetrics. The emergency department received a fluid warmer thanks to the auxiliary’s initiatives, along with an ultraslide for the rehabilitation department and various small appliances for the dietary department at the hospital and Country View Living.

The organization actively raises funds and spreads awareness about its cause. To achieve this, it organizes a diverse range of fundraisers throughout the year. These include the highly anticipated annual cake auction, where delicious cakes made by talented bakers are auctioned off to the highest bidder.

The auxiliary also hosts a beef raffle that offers participants a chance to win beef cuts, while also supporting the organization’s cause. These events not only raise crucial funds for the organization but also bring people together for a fun and worthwhile cause.

“One of the great things about these fundraisers is that our team has a great time organizing the events,” Rosier says. That’s almost as important as the actual funds raised. It should be about passion for the mission. Having fun is a huge plus.”

The CCH Auxiliary is always accepting new volunteers. Participation is free and open to the public, not just CCH team members. If you’re interested in volunteering, please call Olivia Herrera at 806-647-2191 or Laura Kimball at 806-6472984. Either auxiliary representative would be happy to answer any questions and advise of next steps in participating in the auxiliary’s initiatives.

For more information about local healthcare programs and services, please visit www. plainsmemorial.com.