The volunteers will drive through the campus offering smiles, waves and honks in a safe, socially distanced caravan.
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center volunteers who have been furloughed since March 18 due to COVID-19 are planning to return to the hospital Thursday (June 18) for a 12:30 p.m. motorcade to show their support and appreciation for the hospital’s medical workers.
The volunteers will drive through the campus offering smiles, waves and honks in a safe, socially distanced caravan. The parade of volunteers will include a number of the 35 junior volunteers who have recently graduated from high school and will wear their caps and gowns.
Prior to COVID-19, PeaceHealth Southwest relied on a team of nearly 400 volunteers ranging from ages 14 to 93 to keep hospital operations running smoothly. In order to protect the health and safety of the volunteers and of the patients and caregivers at PeaceHealth Southwest, the volunteer program was suspended in mid-March. There is no set date for a resumption of the volunteer services.
Thursday’s Volunteer Parade of Appreciation will follow a route that begins in front of PeaceHealth Southwest’s Emergency Department, crosses west in front of the Firstenburg Tower, turns north on Mother Joseph Place past the radiation oncology center, the Medical Center’s 5th Street entrance and the Family Birth Center, then turns east on NE 5th St. before exiting the campus on 92nd Avenue.
“We truly miss our volunteers,” said PeaceHealth Southwest volunteer coordinator Kristy Murray. “Not only do they perform many important tasks here, they also bring a warmth and positive energy that never fails to brighten our day. It will be wonderful to see them again on Thursday, even if it is just through a windshield.”
