CONTRIBUTED

"Join St. Joseph of the Pines (SJP) volunteer services department and be part of an organization where internal volunteerism, as well as community outreach programs, are essential to the mission and values practiced and endorsed by this 60-year-old health care staple of the community," says Jeralie Andrews, director of volunteer services.

With expansion and revitalization projects sounding a new approach to short and long-term skilled nursing care, present St. Joseph volunteers are experiencing a new appreciation for the innovative practices of an institution rooted in tradition and overseen by the Sisters of Providence. Applications are now being taken for new volunteers.

There are volunteers with more than 20 years of service to SJP and others who only recently joined the ranks. They come from as far away as Wagram, and others are as close as the apartments and cottages of Belle Meade Retirement Resort of St. Joseph of the Pines -- a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), built in 1998 with independent living residents moving in one year later.

Volunteers perform tasks that complement any number of departments, with the primary purpose being to enable SJP associates to better perform their roles with the organization, which in turn leads to more concentrated efforts for premier health services to its nursing home residents, assisted living community and rehabilitation unit patients.

"We at the Health Center who take care of long-term skilled nursing care residents and short-term rehabilitation patients would not be able to do what we do without the numerous hours that are contributed by our volunteers," says Prentice Lipsey, administrator of health services for SJP.

Volunteers play the pianos positioned around the building and lead sing-alongs throughout the Health Center, including the Memory Support Unit, 800 hall activity room and Therapy Village. They run bingo games, operate the Treasure Chest Thrift Shop, conduct assisted pet therapy visits with their dogs, are assigned to individual residents for visitations and give Holy Communion to Catholic residents. Others work in offices where they file, audit and computerize.

Even the Health Center dietary department, the organization's purchasing department, along with the areas of volunteer services, marketing, administration, medical records, staffing, social work and nursing rely on committed volunteers to get a multitude of jobs done.

As new projects give way to additional living quarters for residents and as ideas for on-site therapeutic measures take hold, more volunteer opportunities will be created.

The creation of a greenhouse will beckon "green thumbs." An increase in rehabilitation patients spurs the need for more volunteers to do surveys for the activity and social work departments. More long-term skilled nursing care residents fuels the need for more caring and helpful visitor/companion volunteers, as well as those willing to assist with activities and transport wheelchair residents to games, parties and special events.

"Associates, residents and patients say there can never be too many volunteers with certified therapy dogs, so for all those whose dog already has its AKC Canine Good Citizen certification and is registered with Therapy Dogs International Inc., St. Joseph of the Pines welcomes you with open arms," says Andrews. "For others who own dogs with impeccable manners and marvelous dispositions, perhaps putting her or him to work in assisted pet therapy would be a rewarding option."

"There is a volunteer post waiting for anyone who would like to be a part of an organization that relishes its volunteers and endorses volunteerism outside its campuses. As St. Joseph of the Pines continues to evolve, connecting its rich history with future advancements, and as it forges new paths in the care of those in the local and distant communities, volunteers will continue to be an eve-present necessity and treasure," says Lipsey.

To learn more, call 246-1139 or e-mail jandrews@sjp.org.