Volunteer Team Serves Hospital Community and Local Students

Lehigh Regional Medical Center’s non-profit volunteer organization is vibrant with a diverse group of people from our community who devote their time and hearts to the hospital. The Lehigh Hospital Auxiliary Volunteers welcome all who enter the hospital and reach out into the community as well with scholarships. 

The team was mostly disbanded during Covid, but has been built back with long-time volunteers, newer residents of Lehigh Acres who wanted to get involved, and local students earning hours for high school or college programs from East Lee High School, Gateway Charter, Dunbar High School, Lehigh Senior High, Florida Southwestern State College, and Florida Gulf Coast University to name a few. At the organization’s annual meeting the team celebrated over 2000 volunteer hours served during 2023. Volunteers greet visitors and patients at the front entrance desk, provide helping hands stocking supplies, refreshing waters for patients, and assembling hospital information packets. 

The volunteers manage and run the hospital gift shop, Gifts from the Heart. In partnership with local Lehigh Acres business, Westminster Florist, beautiful arrangements and bud vases are available. From convenience needs like phone chargers and puzzle books, to costume jewelry, scented candles, seasonal décor and an array of snacks, the gift shop has become a welcome stop for employees and visitors. Jean Sapp, a Pink Lady in the original volunteer team in 1984, and current volunteer says, “Volunteering here at the hospital has been one of the personally most rewarding things I have done. Sharing joys and sorrows with occasional customers has been a blessing. And, the many one-of-a-kind items we have (in the gift shop) are a real plus.” The volunteers host fundraising events, such as bake sales and popcorn days. Profits from the gift shop and fund raising are used for the scholarship program. 

The Lehigh Hospital Auxiliary Volunteers relaunched their scholarship program this year, awarding two $500 scholarships to well deserving local students. Scholarship applications are accepted twice a year; Fall and Spring. Applicants must be pursuing an education in the health-care field, and a resident of Lehigh Acres, or can live outside of Lehigh Acres if they are an employee or their immediate family member. 

Lauralee Pierre, graduate of Lehigh Senior High School, was awarded the May 2024 Scholarship. Joel Ball, Manager of the Lehigh Hospital Auxiliary Volunteers, presented the award at the Senior Awards Ceremony at Lehigh Senior High School. Lauralee is attending the University of South Florida, with goals of getting her Ph.D. and opening a Christian Psychology practice. Her mother, Marie Pierre is a RN in Lehigh Regional’s Emergency Department.

The August 2024 Scholarship was awarded to Leah Woodrum, a graduate of Labelle High School, now attending the University of Florida majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a special interest in prosthetics. Leah’s mother, Jami Woodrum, is a RN in Lehigh Regional’s Surgery Department.

In addition to their exceptional academic records and recommendations, both young women earned college credits while in high school and were active in volunteering in the community and church organizations. It was an exciting year for the scholarship re-launch and the team is looking forward to helping many more students in the future. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, the next deadline is April 1, 2025. To apply, pick up an application in the hospital gift shop, or call 239-368-4479.

Lehigh Regional Medical Center is grateful for the team giving their many hours and talents to serve the hospital and the community. The volunteers agree that it’s a rewarding experience, with Joel Ball adding, “The most rewarding aspect of volunteering is sitting at the front door of the hospital at the main desk. Being located there is the welcome mat of the hospital. The volunteers give a helping hand, lend some words of comfort, and try to bring a bright spot in the hospital setting. It may be a visitor’s 20^th time visiting the hospital or their first. Most times it is a simple question, but there are occasions that warrant a phone call to the hospital floor, a particular medical department, or a certain office. To a volunteer, it may seem an easy query or some research, but it is a much-appreciated piece of information to a visitor.” Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. If you are interested in volunteering, visit https://lehighregional.com/careers/volunteer-opportunities/ for an application or call 239-368-4479.