The Gift of Volunteers & Volunteering

After all, giving back is the best way to spread holiday cheer!

With the holiday season approaching, many of us cherish the time we get to spend with our loved ones. During this time, however, it’s also easy to get caught up in the chaos of the season. Hectic travel schedules and last-minute shopping can make the holidays more stressful than they need to be. So rather than getting wrapped up in what gifts to buy, Rutland Regional Medical Center wants to encourage you to spend some time thinking about how you can give back to your community. After all, giving back is the best way to spread holiday cheer!

The Dalai Lama said it best: “The intelligent way to be selfless is to focus on the welfare of others.”

Susan Albers, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic, said “Not only does it benefit the receiver, but it also creates a boomerang effect where the positive impact comes back to you, boosting your physical and your mental health”. She explains that when you help someone, your brain secretes “feel good” chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. It also releases the hormone oxytocin, which makes you feel connected to other people, along with endorphins.

No act of kindness is too small. There are many ways to give back this holiday season. “Making a financial contribution is one way that you can contribute to a cause that you care about or a non-profit,” said Dr. Albers. “You can also contribute by volunteering your time, your energy, your skill, your expertise, to a local organization.”

Aside from the numerous benefits stated above, volunteering also gives you the chance to meet new people and provides you with a sense of purpose.

Volunteers at Rutland Regional know that giving their time and expertise makes an immense difference in our communities and in the lives of our neighbors. They provide invaluable support enabling healthcare professionals to focus on delivering essential care.

Here are some of the ways that volunteering makes RRMC a better place:

• Supporting staff by performing nonclinical tasks
• Escorting and welcoming visitors and patients
• Ensures hospital is well-stocked with supplies
• Completes special projects and tasks
• Rounds on Patients
• Transports patients to appointments

We want to take this holiday season to thank the many volunteers in our community who donate their talent and time to make a difference in our community. We especially want to thank the RRMC volunteers for their dedication, good humor, and can-do attitude.

Happy holidays!