Some reasons our volunteers volunteer…

Rory Bertrand: This past summer I had a traumatic accident and spent a month in a hospital. I know the feeling to spend a long time in a hospital and thought that it would be nice to help out children in similar situations. It was not easy for me and I'm sure it is not easy for young ones. After my first experience volunteering at the hospital, I left with an unexplainable feeling inside. Even though the babies can't really communicate with the volunteers, it is safe to say they want us there. From the moment we pick them up and they lie in our arms, their weeping slowly stops and they fall fast asleep.

Jean Guidi: I like children very much. I am 69 this year and I am still healthy enough to give back—I wanted to do something good when I decided to volunteer. I am at The Children’s once a week in the Emergency Room. I make the kids laugh, I play with trucks, puzzles and with the older kids I play tic-tac-toe. I am just a big kid myself!

Barbara Black: I decided to volunteer after I retired this year. I read stories in the appointment waiting room. I love books and children and I don’t mind hospitals. I realize the children and I are only ships passing in the night so I always relish every moment with them. In the waiting room there is an odd combination of stress and boredom so my job is to distract them and give them friendly support. It is also part of the literacy program at the MCH—to encourage children to read and be read to—show them how pleasurable it can be.

Danielle Tousignant: I work in the Intensive Care/Intermediate Neo-Natal unit. I have to confess that I do it for selfish reasons because I so enjoy holding the babies and rocking them. After each day at the hospital, back at home I feel calm and happy to have done my part to help make a baby feel peaceful. Parents are not always available so I replace them until they return. I cannot help thinking that when I rock and I watch them sleep, the babies are working at healing themselves to go home as soon as possible. I tell little stories or I sing songs to calm them down. They always seem very happy in my arms.

Kelly Wilkinson: The reason I became a volunteer was because of my late grandmother, Millie Houghton Wilkinson. She volunteered at the hospital for over 15 years and collected many certificates and pins for her unlimited loyalty and caring nature. After she became ill from complications of Alzheimer's disease I knew I had to continue her legacy at the hospital. After she passed away in December 2008, I changed my assignment to the care of babies, which was her past assignment. Today, I carry on her passion and take care of babies who need love, support, and warmth.