5/15/08
Clarendon Memorial honors volunteers with luncheon
By Jerriod Grizzle

JERRIOD GRIZZLE/Manning Times

Volunteers Rhett Barrett and Mary Sheley were two of the 27 volunteers that were honored at the CMH 2008 Volunteer Milestones.

A quote from William Penn summed up last Friday’s ceremonies for the volunteers of Clarendon Memorial Hospital.

“I expect to pass through this life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show or any good thing I can do for any fellow being, let me do it now.”

In conjunction with National Hospital Week, members of the Clarendon Health Systems staff honored their own last Friday afternoon when they paid tribute to the volunteers of the hospital.

Their 2008 Volunteer Milestones program highlighted volunteers that gave hour after hour of their own time in assisting CMH in its every day task.

Director of Volunteer Services Scherrie Cogdill said that the volunteers were one of the most important parts of the hospital staff.

“They are angels and they help everywhere. We are doing this luncheon in honor of them and to tell them how much we appreciate their hard work,” she said.

CMH Chief Executive Officer Ed Frye said that the volunteers are the backbone of the hospital.

“They are our most valuable asset,” he said. “We could not survive as a hospital without them and more than that, it is the smiles and services they provide to our patients everyday.”

Volunteers Mary Sheley and Rhett Barrett were two of the top volunteers at the awards ceremony.

Sheley has accumulated more than 4,500 hours and has volunteered at CMH for 14 years.

“I do anything that has to be done. From filing to copying,” she said. “I like to be with people and it gives me something to do so that I can get out of the house. I will work as long as I am able.”

Barrett had the most hours worked for 2007 with a total of 1,500 hours. Combined with this year, he had a total of 2,100 hours.

“I clean up and stack supplies such as linens and do a whole host of other duties,” he said jokingly. “Whatever my job calls for, I do.”

Barrett has for volunteered at CMH for four years.

“I am really excited about what I do for the hospital and I am excited about the program today,” he said.

Keynote speaker Pastor James P. Brunson spoke at the luncheon about the value of good works.

In his address entitled “If I Could Help Somebody,” Brunson told the volunteers how proud he was of their effort with CMH.

“If I can help someone and if you help someone, God will bless you,” he said. “The greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.”

Brunson said that it was the volunteers’ actions that led them to the ceremony and he urged them to work on continuing doing good wherever they go.

All volunteers who had accumulated more than 300 hours were recognized at the ceremony.

The awardees were:
4,000 Hours: Barbara Geddings
3,900 Hours: Barbara Ardis
2,800 Hours: Jeanne Gutelius, Wilma Odom and Betty Strange
2,700 Hours: Marjorie Miller
2,600 Hours: Mary Queen and Jean Strickland
2,400 Hours; Carl Farley and Norma Herring
2,200 Hours: Rosella Daniels
2,100 Hours: Nancy Lemon and Rhett Barrett
1,700 Hours: Brenda Billham
1,600 Hours: Patricia MacKenzie
1,400 Hours: Mary Alice Ipock and Patricia Kerl
1,300 Hours; Jeanne Evans
1,000 Hours: Inell McAlister
700 Hours: Cecelia Eadon
500 Hours: Carol Ostro
300 Hours: Mary DuBose, Mary Lou Hardy, Mary Jantovsky, Julia Shorter and Diane Smothers