The very first volunteer on the very first shift of the Battlefords Union Hospital volunteer greeter program completed her very last shift Friday, Aug. 1.
Norma Linnel has been working the Friday shift since the greeter program was initiated in 2004.
She has since put in a total of 1,997 hours working a weekly shift every Friday, minus a few days off during vacations. Linnel is now moving to Saskatoon to live closer to her daughter and her family.
Volunteer greeters assist and escort anyone who is visiting, attending meetings or seeking services. They staff an information desk in the hospital foyer, but giving out patient room numbers is just one of their many services.
"They deliver flowers, get well greetings and assist with discharge and admissions by helping those who need a wheelchair or just someone to wait with while the car is brought around," says Darlene Kingwell, manager of Volunteer and Spiritual Services for Prairie North Health Region. "This help assists staff in offering efficient and effective services and they can concentrate on their work knowing that the client is being helped by the volunteer."
Linnel received a corsage to wear on her last shift as well as a certificate and a photo during a short program.
"I was totally surprised, and sad, because I really enjoyed being here."
