Whitney Soars, volunteer director for Susquehanna Health, discusses plans for the 26th annual Muncy Valley Lawn Party at the Muncy Valley Hospital, with volunteer, Carol Bryan from Hughesville.

Local residents spend countless hours doing volunteer work all year long in their communities. One of the biggest contributors in the area for volunteerism is at the Muncy Valley Hospital in Muncy. As part of Susquehanna Health, Muncy Hospital wouldn’t be as inviting if it wasn’t for its core service of volunteers.

Everyday both men and women spend many hours offering their free time through the various programs at Muncy Hospital. They are able to use their talents and skills in a unique way that suits every body’s needs. “It is like a big jigsaw puzzle always coming together,” comments Whitney Soars, a Muncy resident and Director of Volunteer Services for Susquehanna Health. Soars will interview prospective volunteers and place them where they are most suited. Afterwards they are given an orientation and eight hours of training for each specific department that they wish to serve in at the hospital

There are 125 volunteers that work at Muncy Hospital on a regular basis, starting at age fourteen up to age ninety plus. Each person spends an average of three to four hours a week. They travel from Muncy, Milton, Lewisburg, Hughesville, Montgomery, Montoursville, Watsontown and Lairdsville.

To honor their hours of commitment, a luncheon will be held on April 21 at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport for the volunteers during this National Volunteer Week. Awards for their recognition of service will be given. Five local residents will be recognized for giving over 2,000 hours. They are Florence Hecknauer, Fannie McKee, Sylvia Haney, Barb Sear and Thelma White.

(SeeLOCAL RESIDENTS, Page 5)

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The Volunteers

Shirley Dailey from Montgomery has over 14,000 hours and has been working at the hospital for thirty-two years. ” I love every day every minute without any exception,” she said smiling. She will be 84 next month. “It is a joy to come here everyday I can,” she adds. “I live alone and it’s nice to come here. We get more back than what we give.”

Carol Bryan, a Hughesville resident, comes once a week to help in the gift shop and she also likes to help out at the Life Center three times a week. “It makes me feel good to help people. I like to have conversations with them and help them as much as I can.,” she adds. She has been a volunteer for two years since her retirement.

Shirley Moore, helps out at the Health Fairs at the Lycoming Mall. She is a Muncy resident and spends about fifty hours a month volunteering in the skilled nursing unit. She worked 12 years as a nurse and likes to work with older people.

Jennie Hess and Elaine Waltz both from Muncy are working together at the Susquehanna Health Festival. Jennie likes to spend about five hours a week working in same day surgery at the hospital and Elaine, a retired RN, spends about four hours a week at the information desk.

Doris Hess, a retired nurse from Williamsport Hospital and a Muncy resident has been volunteering at the Life Center since 1992. She was one of the first volunteers at the center since it opened. She is also a member of the hospital auxiliary and spends time making lap robes and shawls for the residents at the skilled nursing unit.

These are just a few of the many individuals who work together as a team to make Muncy Valley Hospital one of the most important organizations in east Lycoming County. “The talents and abilities of all the individual members, focused on the common goal, provide the catalyst for achievement,” according to Steven Johnson, President and CEO of Susquehanna Health. These volunteers are an essential part of our team.