When Rose Marie Kreppein volunteers she knows she is helping people.

“You are filling a need,” said Kreppein, who began volunteering at the St. Andrews Auxiliary Thrift Shop about eight years ago because she wanted to help her community. After retiring from a 30-year career as a teacher and administrator, she knew she had more to give.

She enjoys learning new things and helping her community, but she said when she began working directly with patients, visiting and talking with people who sometimes did not have family nearby, she realized how rewarding volunteering could be.

“Not only was I doing something for them but boy was I getting something in return,” Kreppein said. “So I think that I volunteer mostly because I think I can help and then it comes back to me.”

Kreppein was one of 200 volunteers who gathered at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Newcastle on June 29 for the second annual Lincoln County Healthcare Volunteer Appreciation Event.

Sponsored by St. Patrick’s Church and All Saints Parish, Bowden Eggs, Maine Shellfish, Spears Farm and Yellowfront Grocery, the event was a chance for leadership and staff from throughout Lincoln County Healthcare to thank the many volunteers that give so much to them and the patients of Miles Memorial Hospital, St. Andrews Hospital and other Lincoln County Healthcare entities.

Lincoln County Healthcare CEO James Donovan, Chairman of the Board Pete Mundy, Vice President of Development, Community Relations and Marketing Scott Shott, Director of Volunteers Connie Bright and Volunteer Coordinator Steven Hurd thanked volunteers for their time, their warmth and compassion and for serving as ambassadors.

Volunteers give more than 20,000 hours to Lincoln County Healthcare each year, working in 76 different position assignments in 27 different areas. In addition, the St. Andrews Hospital Auxiliary and Miles Memorial Hospital League together raise about $200,000 annually through their thrift shops and other fundraising activities.

Connie Bright said that as much as volunteers do already throughout Lincoln County Healthcare, there are meaningful opportunities on both the St. Andrews and Miles campus for new volunteers.
For more information about volunteering, call Connie Bright at 563-4508.