Participants of Day Kimball Healthcare’s Junior Volunteer program have raised $1,277 to support patient care and comfort through an organization-wide gift basket raffle.

Volunteers sold raffle tickets to staff throughout all of DKH’s locations over a week long period. There were eleven gift baskets in all, the contents of which the volunteers worked to have donated or donated themselves. Proceeds will provide for the purchase of a new television for Day Kimball’s Behavioral Health inpatient department, supplies like magazines and lip balm for the hospital’s inpatient comfort cart, coloring books and crayons for children in the emergency department and a new copy machine for Wendy’s Place, DKH’s nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center.

Elizabeth Jezierski, Junior Volunteer Coordinator, said, “I am beyond proud of what the kids have done this year. They are an amazing addition to the hospital!”

DKH Director of Development Kristen Willis praised the many contributions of the junior volunteers as well.

“It’s truly inspiring to see these young volunteers at work, not only as active participants in assisting our healthcare professionals in delivery of care, but improving and enhancing the experience of our patients and visitors to the hospital. To include fundraising as an element of their volunteer experience is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about another important layer of community service and to see the direct impact of their efforts,” Willis said.

Willis also noted the value of the volunteer program itself, saying “Our Junior Volunteer Program is a win-win situation for the young volunteers, the hospital, and the communities we serve – these are the community leaders, volunteers and philanthropists of the future who have certainly made their mark at Day Kimball Hospital. Kudos and thank you to all involved!”

The junior volunteers are comprised of local high school students and recent graduates that serve to support hospital care by transporting patients, running errands and contributing to various departmental projects. In addition to helping to support patient care, the program also offers students interested in a career in healthcare to experience working in a hospital environment first-hand. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at DKH, visit www.daykimball.org/volunteer.