The Brothers of Mercy Nursing and Rehab Center is genuinely blessed to have more than 35 active volunteers return after our Covid shutdown. Our volunteers are individuals who want to help others, are retired, concerned citizens, professionals, friends/family members, former rehab patients, college students required to learn and gain experience, and high school students completing community service. The dedication and compassion of our volunteers is truly impressive.
Our volunteers provide an extra dimension to add to the comfort, care and happiness of our residents/patients. They are scheduled to specific assignments by the volunteer coordinator. Some assignments include in-house therapy transport, activities, spiritual care, gift shop, clerical, friendly visitor, dog visits, in-house beauty shop transport, in-house podiatrist transport, sewing, sorting and delivering mail to staff, residents and patients. The rapport between volunteers, residents, patients, staff and visitors contributes to o
ur great community reputation and makes for a successful program of activities that help improve quality of life for our campus residents.
As money is not part of the volunteer’s incentive, motivation is achieved in other ways. Encouragement, respect, support, flexibility and friendship are essential to coordinate a successful, organized volunteer program.
We would like to congratulate three of our wonderful volunteers for being named 2023 Volunteers of the Year:
– Mary Sondel was a volunteer for 19 years; she, sorted and delivered mail and also completed many other assignments
– Mike Coon has been a volunteer for 11 years; he is a Eucharistic Minister in the Spiritual Care Department
– Bob Coffey has been a volunteer for six years; he is also a Eucharistic Minister in the Spiritual Care Department.
We recognized all three volunteers at a special luncheon held at the Brothers of Mercy Nursing and Rehab Center during National Volunteer Recognition Week in April. They were also recognized at a Leading Age banquet in May at Samuel’s Grand Manor.
If you are interested in volunteer with The Brothers of Mercy, please contact the volunteer coordinator at 716-759-7617 or visit BrothersofMercy.org/Volunteer-Services to fill out an application.