Happy National Volunteer Week!

National Volunteer Week, part of National Volunteer Month, is celebrated annually during the third week of April. This year, it is observed from April 16th to April 22nd.

Mount Desert Island Hospital is a rural hospital which offers healthcare to a number of local communities, in addition to the ever-growing tourist population which visits our island and National Park each summer. As a rural hospital, MDI Hospital faces many rural health-based challenges. Volunteers can help to offset some of these challenges by donating their time and expertise.

Volunteers work alongside medical professionals in clinical and/or non-clinical areas.

“The volunteers of MDI Hospital and Birch Bay Retirement Village are part of our care team.  They provide support and service to our charitable and nonprofit organizations by offering their time, skills, and expertise.  Their generosity and willingness to serve our mission is most appreciated.  The dedication of our volunteers is essential to fulfill our purpose in the community to promote and provide health and vibrancy.” – Chrissi Maguire, CEO/President, MDI Hospital

At MDI Hospital and Health Centers, volunteers have many opportunities, including…

Emergency Department 

Volunteers who operate within the Emergency Department can help in a myriad of ways! They may host at the entrance by greeting and providing support to patients, visitors, and guests, OR they may assist emergency department staff within the emergency room with clerical tasks and errands. These volunteers who function within the ED can serve as a general liaison between patients, their families, and hospital staff; a major help to our busy ED employees!

Materials Management 

Volunteers working in Materials Management assist employees with receiving, stocking, and delivering supplies during busy hours. They also assist with simple filing and a number of other tidying and support tasks. These volunteers typically have excellent attention to detail, as well as a kind, helpful manner!

Nutrition Services 

Nutrition Services Volunteers assist with meal preparation for patients and staff. With many patients and staff to prepare for, serve, and take care of after, this is a major help to our Nutrition Service employees!

Office Volunteering

Volunteers who work in an office setting assist with clerical tasks and errands, filing, and reminding patients of upcoming appointments. It can be very helpful for our office volunteers to possess computer and customer services skills. Sometimes the pleasant voice you encounter on the other end of a telephone is in fact an office volunteer!

MDI Hospital Auxiliary

Volunteers are always welcome at the MDI Hospital Auxiliary. Members of the Auxiliary have been an integral part of the Hospital family since 1948. This volunteer group is comprised of community members, hospital employees, and retirees. Volunteers regularly devote many hours each year to various fundraising efforts, including their popular Fall Fair, bakes sales, and jewelry sales!

MDI Hospital is so grateful to all of our volunteers in all of the capacities in which they serve. Thanks to individuals like these, MDI Hospital is continually supported in providing care to our local community, as well as our seasonal travelling population.

At Birch Bay Retirement Village, volunteers also have many opportunities, including…

Care Partner 

Volunteers can become a member of the Birch Bay Buddy Program and spend valued time with residents who are suffering from dementia and/or isolation. In this program, volunteers often do one-on-one activities with residents, such as reading, socializing, puzzles/games, letter writing/correspondence, walks, gardening, and more.

Life Enrichment 

As a Life Enrichment Volunteer, individuals can join in, learn from, and assist in the Life Enrichment Program. This means that these volunteers can help to creative activities that seek to maximize resident independence and energy. This program positively impacts all those involved, especially the residents who suffer from dementia. Motivated, patient, and caring, these volunteers take part in activities such as gardening, baking, outings, social groups, worship services, and much, much more.

Activities & Engagement 

Volunteers who assist in Activities & Engagement lead and/or assist in a regular activity group with assisted living residents. Birch Bay has a great need for volunteers who can devote an as-scheduled or routine basis to lead classes, projects, or groups with our assisted living residents. If you or someone you know has the time and interest in volunteering in Activities & Engagement, please share with them about the available opportunities to volunteer in arts and crafts, games, exercise, and more!

Clubs & Socialization 

For volunteers who have a special passion, talent, or interest they would like to share or teach, Birch Bay needs volunteers to lead groups for apartment residents and cottagers. These may be, but are not limited to; social clubs, such as book clubs, card/game clubs, nature clubs, community involvement groups, art classes.

Musicians, Public Speakers, and Performers

Volunteers can also donate their talents by putting on musical performances, public presentations or talks, and worship services (currently held every Wednesday). This is an excellent opportunity to share your musical talents, knowledge, gifts, or services with residents from the entire community (and they appreciate it)!

Adult Day Program 

The Don & Beth Straus Therapeutic Adult Day Program is looking for volunteers to assist with programming and interactivity. Straus Volunteers may lead or assist with activities, meals, limited documentation, outings, and more.

Pet Therapy Teams

Do you have a pet certified in pet therapy? Therapy pets fulfill a need for our residents that cannot be addressed in any other way, and our residents cherish and look forward to visits with these animals and their people.

If you are interested in getting your pet certified in pet therapy so that you may participate in such opportunities, please visit the Therapy Dogs International, Inc., website at www.tdi-dog.org.
If you have a pet certified in pet therapy, please feel welcome to complete the volunteer application, for you and your pal to get started.

Junior Volunteers

Volunteers between 13-18 can also donate their time and skills! While these opportunities vary and typically do not involve direct resident contact, our junior volunteers are instrumental to our programming, and help to ensure that gardening areas and outdoor spaces are ready each season. Junior volunteers may also assist with organization, clean-up, and much more. If you have a junior volunteer, or a group of junior volunteers interested in any of these opportunities, Birch Bay is happy to have them on board! Some of these opportunities may even provide these individuals a look into the inner workings of residential care facilities for broadening interests and future career possibilities.

Check out some of our stellar volunteers at work!

This week-long celebration is about placing a spotlight on those individuals whose invaluable skills and aide help in bettering the community and our impact upon those needing access to local healthcare.

If you or someone you know if interested in volunteering, please feel welcome to start the process here: Volunteer Application.

To learn more about volunteering with MDI Hospital & Health Centers and Birch Bay Retirement Village, please visit the Volunteering homepage at Volunteering Homepage.

For more information about volunteering, please contact:

Julie Hagle, MDI Hospital Community Engagement Coordinator
(207) 801-5046
Julie.Hagle@mdihospital.org

April C. Hutchins, Birch Bay Village Programs and Engagement Coordinator
(207) 288-8014 x 5210
ahutchins@birchbayvillage.us