Local volunteers were in the spotlight during Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital’s annual volunteer recognition luncheon at the Hyatt Valencia on April 23, 2009. Coinciding with National Volunteer Week, the “Volunteers Are Star Performers” celebration offered attendees the opportunity to dress up as their favorite Hollywood celebrity or movie character. They responded in gusto, with “Carmen Miranda,” “Pocahontas,” and “Snow White” spotted among the more than 215 guests.
Henry Mayo volunteer services director Maria Strmsek, dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, opened the event by introducing Diana Vose, president of the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation.
“I’m here as Diane Keaton, without the gloves and turtleneck,” Vose said. “While I admire Diane Keaton, I admire all of you so much more. You are our stars in giving time, assistance, and gifts. You are the true face of philanthropy.”
Council members Bob Kellar and Marsha McLean, and representatives from the offices of Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon, and Supervisor Michael Antonovich were acknowledged before a lunch of filet mignon and vegetable risotto was served. While dining, guests enjoyed a medley of movie musical tunes from Canyon Theatre Guild performers Leslie Berra, Greg Finley, Erin Rivlin, and 12-year-old J.T. Friedman.
Following the entertainment, Henry Mayo president and CEO Roger Seaver took the stage, speaking on behalf of the hospital and 15-member board of directors.
“There’s a lot of talk in America about healthcare costs and it’s an important area to discuss, but there’s no debate on the role volunteers play in the U.S. healthcare system. Your contributions are unmatched in the world,” Seaver said. “You touch the hearts of people in crisis and remind us every day of our mission to serve patients. We are very thankful.”
Dr. Mark Sender, chief of medical staff at Henry Mayo, left the ballroom for a medical emergency during the luncheon, but returned in time to commend the volunteers.
“I’ve just returned from the hospital and there was such a void without the volunteers there,” Sender said to appreciative laughs. “Doctors see your contributions every day. When patients are fearful and uncertain, you empathize with them so beautifully. It makes our jobs that much easier and we so appreciate it.”
The 2008 Henry Mayo Honorary Life Membership recipient Becky Combs introduced the 2009 recipient Lynn Leo by offering an account of Leo’s personal highlights of her life in California and Hawaii. Combs also announced the many contributions Leo makes to the hospital, including knitting blankets for cancer patients and participating at special events like “Mammo Mondays” and the 5K “Run for the Health of It.”
As Leo approached the stage, she was surprised to see three generations of family members enter the room and join her onstage for the occasion. Festooned with flowers and acknowledgements from the City of Santa Clarita and the offices of Smyth, McKeon, and Antonovich, the clearly elated volunteer simply said a heartfelt “thank you” to the crowd.
Before bringing the volunteer support group presidents on stage for check presentations, Health Foundation board chair and The Magazine of Santa Clarita publisher Linda Hafizi disclosed the incredible statistical contributions of hospital volunteers.
“Henry Mayo has close to 350 volunteers who donated more than 53,000 hours of their time last year. That is an astounding amount of time that I believe has not been duplicated at any other organization in the SCV. Of the $2.1 million raised in 2008, $130,000 of that was raised from volunteer support groups. What an amazing group of people you are,” Hafizi said.
Joanne Timmerman, president of the hospital auxiliary, presented a check for $69,000 to support surgical services, while Guild president Catherine Montoya presented a check for $33,000 to benefit the laboratory. She was followed by Home Tour League co-president Julia Hicken’s presentation of over $20,000 for the new neonatal intensive care unit.
Pins were given to volunteers with 100 to 44,000 hours of service and awards to those with 10 to 30 years of service, including Lea Serlin for 22,000 hours, and Margery Link for 44,000 hours. A special presentation to the Henry Mayo therapy dogs, including Golden Retriever Laci, who has contributed 850 hours and Nick the poodle, with 650 hours, concluded the event.
For more information on volunteering at Henry Mayo, contact volunteer services at 661-253-8051 or visit www.henrymayo.com .