Waukegan,
Ill., 10/31/06– Four Vista Health
System volunteers recently received The President’s
Call to Service Award at a Retired and Senior
Volunteer Program (RSVP). The award is bestowed
by the President’s Council on Service
and Civic Participation and the USA Freedom
Corps. Each recipient received a pin, a certificate
and a letter of appreciation from President
Bush.
In
January 2002, President George W. Bush called
on all Americans to dedicate at least 4,000
hours over the course of their lives to serve
others at home or abroad. Waukegan residents
Norma Jensen, Marie Mirr, Robert Nimits and
Adeline Walther accomplished that goal just
four and a half years later.
“I
was quite surprised,” says Mirr. “I
enjoy giving back to the community--doing
something for someone else.” Mirr has
volunteered at Vista Medical Center East (formerly
Victory Memorial Hospital) since 1995.
Mirr
also volunteers at other community organizations
such as the Waukegan Library, ElderCARE at
Christ Church and the YWCA. She donated 937.5
hours to Vista throughout the past four years.
Her jobs have included working in the hospital
gift shop, assisting with filing and other
administrative tasks.
Jensen
was surprised to receive the recognition,
too. “I was very honored. I didn’t
realize it was such a big award.” Jensen
started volunteering at Vista in 1999 and
contributed 1,748 hours at Vista Medical Center
East throughout the past four years. Jensen
also volunteered her time at organizations
such as soup kitchens, the sheriff’s
office and Habitat for Humanity.
“Once
you start volunteering, it snowballs. There
always seems to be something else you want
to do. And I enjoy the people I work with,”
comments Jensen. Her tasks at Vista have included
greeting visitors at the reception desk and
surgical lounge, sewing, bingo, mailings and
special events.
While
Mirr and Jensen donated their 4,000 hours
at several organizations, Nimits and Walther
donated all of their volunteer time at Vista
Medical Center East. Walther has been volunteering
at this location since 1964, when it was still
Victory Memorial Hospital. She has worked
in virtually every area of the hospital during
her years volunteering here.
“When
you’re doing work for others and helping
others, you’re helping yourself indirectly.
It’s good for you and that’s what
I like. It’s something I want to do,”
explains Walther, who turned 95 in September.
Nimits,
a Vista volunteer since 1984, echoes this
sentiment, “Making things a little easier
for people makes it all worthwhile. It’s
nice to be recognized and appreciated for
doing something you like to do.”
Barbara
Martin, CEO and president, Vista Health System
congratulates Norma, Bob, Marie and Adeline
on receiving their prestigious award. “Their
dedication and generous gift of time and talent
are truly appreciated. I am very proud that
four of the persons recognized are Vista Health
volunteers,” said Martin.
Vista
Health System includes Vista Medical Center
East (Waukegan), Vista Medical Center West
(Waukegan), Vista Imaging Center (Gurnee),
Vista MRI Institute (Gurnee), Vista Physical
Medicine (Gurnee), Vista Work Power Center
(Gurnee) and Vista Surgery Center (Lindenhurst).
Click here
for more information on volunteer opportunities
at Vista Health.
| (right)
Bob Nimits is one of four Vista Health
System volunteers who received
The President’s Call to Service Award.
Nimits has volunteered at Vista since
1984. |
 |
|
