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p8 the tribune wednesday september 20 1989 yyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yy-yyyyyyyy-yyyy- y yyyyyyy vv -v- yyyyyy- yyyyyyyyy hospital seeks human touch julie caspersen staff reporter markhamstouffville hospital needs your talent your time and even your human touch in just three hours a week you can make a difference volunteer coordinator magda rigo said magda rigo volunteer recruiter rigo is in charge of recruiting volunteers to help out at the new 244bed general hospital shes looking for people to bring their talents and skills to supplement the care given by medical staff men women seniors and teens everyone has something of fer from manning the telephones to playing with children to len ding a friendly ear so far rigo has heard from 350 interested volunteers she hopes to recruit 650 by the opening of the hospital at hwy 7 and the ninth line in early 1990 rigo was to start interviewing these hopeful helpers sept 5 ill look at what they have to bring look at their motivation she said people volunteer for a variety of reasons some simply want to help while others are willing to learn new skills or pass on what they know some give their time in order to get out of a routine at work or home prescription for a modern hospital the touch of volunteers others want to meet people while some think volunteer work looks good on a resume according to joan wood of markhams volunteer bureau approximately 600 town residents volunteered their services in the last 12 months they are among the 75000 volunteers in ontario during 1988 1855000 canadians gave their time to help others the interest in the hospital is tremendous wood said its a very visible presence volunteers have been lobbying for a local hospital for at least 15 years and have been extremely active for the past 10 years wood said only in the last five years has paid staff worked for the hospital as well as interviewing ap plicants rigo will give volunteers initial training to be completed on the job and the jobs available to volunteers are wideranging and require all levels of skill volunteers are needed to work in a variety of departments in- cluding intensive care pediatrics obstetrics psychiatry radiology and emergency some of the tasks volunteers are needed for are escorting patients to appoint ments in the hospital sorting incoming mail working at the information desk telephoning doctors offices to inform them when their patient has been admitted acting as tour guide to expec tant parents and orienting them with the labor delivery unit helping new moms with babies visiting lonely patients planning recreational activities delivering flowers visiting pa tients with a shopping cart distributing books and magazines moving patients around the hospital a horrendous task is a service that should appeal to men rigo said volunteer depart ments usually have a large core of female workers and shes look ing for men to round out the staff teens aged 14 to 19 are welcome to join the ranks of the magda rigo speaks with a volunteer candidate for the markham stouffvilie hospital she began recruiting earlier this month in the hopes of finding 650 before the hospital opens early next year men women and teens are being sought for a wide range of duties hospitals volunteen service rigo is contacting local high school guidance counsellors and the exterior of the markham stouffvlile hospital has reached its completion now work crews are busily preparing the interior of trie hospital for its opening next winter one of the striking things about the building is the amount of natural light inside creative use of windows and skylights gives it a fresh feel hopes to recruit younger volunteers especially during summer months were very eager to take on students rigo said volunteering could also expose youths interested in pursuing a medical career to what its really like to work in a hospital she is looking for 150 volunteers to act as tour guides for the opening ceremonies and once the hospital is runn ing volunteers will be involved from day one rigo said integrating paid staff and volunteers will be easier because all staff is at the same entry level its exciting for us to see it all unfold she said sometimes volunteers find it difficult to work with paid staff they find it intimidating rigo hopes to encourage interaction between the two groups instead of just thinking something should be done peo ple are starting to believe they are the ones to do something rigo said she anticipates a strong reaction from the local community and hopes to develop a core of committed volunteers but helping out for a few hours a week for six months is also helpful volunteering can give you a necessary outlet for personal satisfaction and growth at the same time as being a challenge it has to be enjoyablcto get something out of it rigo said if you are willing to give a few hours of your time to the hospital give rigo a call at 2946660