8/9/07
CMH’s Jr. Volunteers give their summer vacation time to hospital
By Cathy Gilbert

CATHY GILBERT/Manning Times

CMH’s Junior Volunteers were honored with a luncheon on Friday, Aug. 3 at the hospital. Pictured are LaQuanda Adger, Stephan Psillos, Junior Volunteer Coordinator Cassandra Brunson, Bre’Ana Adger and Jennifer Bradham. Participants not pictured are: Melanie Froggatt, Jon’Monique George, Destiny Jones, Jessica Shelley and Jenna Still.

While most kids are frolicking on the beach, whiling away their summer vacation, a group of junior volunteers at Clarendon Memorial Hospital were logging in precious hours providing man – and woman – power during June and July. Their efforts were of great value to the local healthcare organization during a time of vacations and holidays for regular staff.

The eleven teens in this year’s program ranged in age from 13 to 17 and were comprised of 10 girls and one boy. They were placed in departments all over the hospital from radiology to Generations to The Zone. As a group, they logged in more than 600 hours in just eight weeks.

“They were just wonderful to work with,” said Barbara Hayes, assistant director of nursing. “Some of the girls decided they would like to explore a career in nursing, which we always appreciate.”

Stephan Psillos, a rising ninth grader at Laurence Manning Academy, topped the hour list with 141 hours. He worked closely with J.D. Duke in materials management.

“I helped to restock various areas of the hospital as well as deliver supplies,” he said. “It was a lot of fun.”

“He worked very hard and very well,” noted Duke, who added that Psillos was such as asset to his department that he was called in on his days off.

For Jackie Young, controller in the hospital’s business office, the junior volunteer program offered something for her two daughters to do over the summer.

“I live in Lake City and they were able to come to work with me,” Young noted. Her daughters Alexis Ard, 15 and Kara Ann Ard, 13, worked in radiology and the newborn nursery, respectively.

Jennifer Bradham, 17, soon to be a freshman at USC Sumter, was recognized for the “special attention” she showed CMH’s Guest Care patients, according to Hayes.

Bre’Ana Adger, a rising senior at Manning High School, has decided that her summer experience may lead to a nursing career.

I worked in physical therapy, then the business office and finally with the nursing staff,” she said. “I got a first hand look at how they function and now I think that is what I want to do.”

The program was supervised by Cassandra Brunson, administrative assistant in the Cypress Foundation/Volunteer Coordinator’s office.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each of the junior volunteers as well as with each of the department supervisors. I especially want to thank the department heads for making this such a great experience for our volunteers.”

Each volunteer was recognized with a certificate and a small gift of appreciation. This year’s volunteers (and the hours they logged) were: LaQuanda Adger (69), Bre’Ana Adger (21), Alexis Ard (57.5), Kara Ann Ard (57.5), Jennifer Bradham (30), Melanie Froggatt (16), Jon’Monique George (30), Destiny Jones (47.5), Stephan Psillos (141), Jessica Shelley (108) and Jenna Still (27).

Brunson said the program would be held again next summer, beginning in June. She hopes to expand the program to allow for 15-20 volunteers.