News Releases

Combining a variety of slight-of-hand tricks, rings and a condo of cards, Brother Lee Barker’s magic show mesmerized his audience at Mercy’s volunteer party. Debra Gamble volunteered to help Brother Lee Barker with a card trick that surprised everyone.

Gathered at Mercy’s celebration of volunteers are its longtime chapel volunteers pictured from left seated: Beverly Hayes, Joan Demeranville, Rosemary Schmidt, and Diane McMahon; standing: Linda Rohe, Gerald Bertagnolli, Michael Hayes, Buddy (E.A.) Gilbert and Sister Carol Harbeck, RSM.

To recognize Mercy’s volunteers during Volunteer Month, Judy Hazelton collaborated with the recreational therapy department and organized a party to celebrate Mercy volunteers. A magic show presented by Brother Lee Barker, of the brothers of the Sacred Heart order, highlighted the event. Everyone enjoyed cakes and punch with the long-term care senior residents and best of all the magic.

Mercy volunteers play a vital role in the care of the community. Whether it’s assisting in rehabilitation, long-term care, assisted living, hospice, memory care or helping with fundraising through events and programs, there’s a place to serve at Mercy.

“The breadth of volunteerism at Mercy Medical is amazing,” explained Judy Hazelton, Mercy’s volunteer manager. “Mercy has more than 150 volunteers that provide hundreds of hours of service each month. Our volunteers give of their time, with no financial gain. Some are inspired early on in their lives by mentors or parents that role modeled the worth of volunteerism. Others just want to give back. One thing I see that commonly happens around here is when someone volunteers in the right place for the right reasons; the great reward of helping others takes them over. They are spirited by the joy of helping others and spread this love on to others here at Mercy Medical,” said Hazelton.

The majority of Mercy volunteers are retired professionals including lawyers, college professors, teachers, nurses, physicians, engineers, etc. Mercy also has students, homemakers and families who’ve made volunteering part of their everyday lives. Other volunteer candidates include high school students in Key Clubs or college students studying nursing, occupational, speech or recreational therapies, or similar rehabilitation fieldwork who need volunteer hours. Volunteers work a minimum of 2 to 4 volunteer hours per week.

Mercy volunteers inspire, teach, model and enhance the Mercy experience for patients, residents and staff. Volunteers live the Mercy mission. For more information about volunteering at Mercy Medical, Catherine Place, Carroll Place, or the John McClure Snook Center call Judy Hazelton at 621-4445 or email volunteer@mercymedical.com.