Niagara, ON - There are 1,100 people in Niagara who generously give the gift of their time, skill, energy and kindness to patients and staff with the Niagara Health System (NHS). The NHS will recognize the tremendous contributions of volunteers who serve the seven NHS sites across the region with a gala appreciation event on Friday, May 2, 2008.
The luncheon event coincides with the celebration of National Volunteer Week across Canada. Volunteers will be entertained by the St. Paul High School jazz band from Niagara Falls. There will also be a special musical performance by talented Niagara vocalist Barb Mantini, who will be accompanied on the keyboard by Mark Lalama, the pianist from Canadian Idol.
An estimated 300 volunteers from across the region are attending the gala event, to be held at the Americana Conference Resort and Spa in Niagara Falls, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"Our volunteers are busy people who take time to make a difference in their local hospitals for the benefit of their communities," says Deb Anderson, a Coordinator of Volunteer Resources with the NHS. "They are truly wonderful people who recognize a need and work to make an important difference. This annual gala event is our way of thanking our volunteers for the extraordinary gift they give to the NHS and to the residents of Niagara."
The NHS's 1,100 volunteers range in age from 14 to 90 years old. They give their time to share their skills and abilities to comfort and support patients, raise millions of dollars to fund capital projects and critical medical equipment, provide leadership and administrative support. Each year, volunteers contribute a combined total of approximately 150,000 hours to the NHS’s seven sites and its patients.
"Our volunteers' contributions are vast and diverse," says NHS President and CEO Debbie Sevenpifer. "Volunteers are an essential part of our health-care team, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our 1,100 volunteers for their commitment to improving healthcare and the lives of others."
