When Kris, Paula and Sue began volunteering at CHOC, they were looking to give back to the healthcare system. Now, a year later, they got that and more: a fast friendship between the three women who look forward to seeing each other weekly and supporting CHOC.
Here, just in time for Volunteer Appreciation Week, we chat with the trio about what they do at CHOC and how it’s impacted their lives.
What are your roles as a volunteer?
Kris: I work on the coffee cart that serves families in various areas of the hospital.
Paula: I have two roles. On Wednesday mornings, I’m a cuddler who rocks babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the Small Baby Unit. On Thursday afternoons, I team up with Kris and Sue serving beverages and fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies on the coffee cart.
Sue: I am part of the Thursday afternoon coffee cart crew. We spend the first hour plus of our shift stocking the coffee cart with freshly baked cookies and hot drinks. Then we visit individual rooms throughout the hospital, as well as the surgical waiting room, to offer cookies, drinks, and a smile. We also sign up to help at special events throughout the year.
How did your friendship form? Do you stay connected outside of volunteering?
Kris: We really had a connection from day one! We spend four to five hours a week together and early on, we established specific roles and responsibilities for our team. It really feels like something is missing if one of us is absent. We stay connected through texts.
Paula: There was an instant connection. Our coffee cart shifts are so enjoyable. We visit as the cookies bake, sharing stories of our families and learning all about each other. We check in and keep in touch with each other during the week through texts.
Sue: Paula and I met at our first training session, and I felt a connection with her since we are both newly retired teachers. Kris joined us shortly after on our Thursday afternoon shift, and I quickly felt very comfortable with them both. We sometimes text during the week to check in on special activities someone is doing or on things in the news. We acknowledge each other’s birthdays and special holidays.
How has volunteering at CHOC impacted your life?
Kris: I look forward to coming every week. I know I can make a difference in the lives of others, and I have a volunteer team behind me supporting me every step of the way. I know I have friends in Paula and Sue that will last a lifetime!
Paula: Volunteering at CHOC has brought me so much joy. Serving parents and children alongside CHOC’s incredible staff has been a privilege. It allows me to contribute and to give back to our Orange County community in important and significant ways. Sharing a cup of coffee and cookies comes with a kind smile and a listening ear.
Sue: I feel proud to be part of CHOC’s outreach in a small way. I look forward to seeing volunteer department staff members and other volunteers each week, and to bringing a small boost to patients and families.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering for CHOC?
Kris: My favorite aspect of volunteering for CHOC is that I have the opportunity to make patients and families feel cared for. I know firsthand how something as simple as bringing cookies and coffee or just listening and supporting makes all the difference.
Paula: What I enjoy most about volunteering at CHOC is the people. Whether it is the security guard greeting me or the volunteer staff checking in with us, CHOC is a place where people are seen and matter. I also appreciate the opportunity to serve at CHOC. After retiring, I knew it would be important to continue working with kids and families, and CHOC has been a gift.
Sue: I feel gratified and happy when a patient or parent expresses their appreciation for our small gesture of cookies and coffee. I hope that a little thing like a warm cookie and a smile will give patients and their families a figurative “hug” so they know they are not alone. The coffee cart seems to have a bigger impact on people than I initially thought it would. I’m also grateful for the new friendships I’ve made.
Do you have any favorite memories or stories that stand out to you during your time at CHOC? Or any moments that have made a lasting impact on you?
Kris: My most memorable moment was when I unknowingly walked into a patient’s room filled with worried family members. With the support of Paula and Sue, we were able to provide refreshments to the family, and they were overjoyed by our small gesture. It was a special feeling knowing that we were able to provide a moment of relief during their stressful time.
Paula: One of my favorite memories is when we saw a patient room with a sign outside saying not to disturb them, unless there were cookies. It made us feel very appreciated. Most of all though, it is the simple gratitude that people have when you hand them a cup of coffee or a cookie.
Sue: It always warms my heart when hospital staff talks up the cookies to families, or tells us that a family in a certain room has been waiting for us. I have felt sincere appreciation from staff and families on a regular basis.
Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for someone who is unsure if volunteering is right for them?
Learn more about volunteering at CHOC
There is no greater reward than making a difference in the life of a sick or injured child.
