Giving the treasure of time
For many, philanthropy is defined as the donation of money to good causes. However, being philanthropic does not always include monetary contributions. Some of the most valued gifts are those most precious to us — our time.
Last year at Kalispell Regional Healthcare more than 200 volunteers donated nearly 40,000 hours, an equivalent of nearly 20 full-time employees. Every day one can see volunteers throughout the halls of Kalispell Regional Medical Center, The HealthCenter and North Valley Hospital. They help in many ways, including delivering mail, working in the gift shops, baking cookies, staffing the information desks, and assisting in many departments across the organization.
In addition to lending a hand with day-to-day activities at KRH, community volunteers guide organizational efforts by helping with various community events and donating their time and expertise on various leadership boards, advisory boards, committees and programs.
Many KRH volunteers, like Somers resident Chuck Wilhoit, have chosen to give back to an organization that has impacted their lives, either directly or indirectly. For nearly 15 years, Wilhoit has donated his time by serving on various boards and committees of the KRH Foundation.
“I choose to volunteer with KRH because I believe strongly in supporting the excellence in medical services that the institution supplies to the people of Flathead County and beyond,” he said, “Volunteering is a very satisfying opportunity to give something back to the professionals and facilities that have meant so much to me and my friends.”
For Marissa Keenan, a member of the North Valley Hospital Foundation Board, volunteering gave her a chance to support an organization that supported her when she needed it the most.
“My emotional connection to North Valley Hospital comes from having both of my children there, and the care that we received when things got difficult," she said, "My experience giving birth in The Birth Center was wonderful both times. However, when my youngest son was born, he had respiratory issues, and the nurses and doctor had to give him oxygen after his birth. At one point, they finally told me that they had given him all the oxygen they could in the nursery and he wasn’t improving, and he needed to be transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Kalispell."
“I didn’t want to leave North Valley Hospital, and I didn’t want my baby to be moved, so I was a mess. I just wanted to hold him. When they put my newborn baby in the ambulance, I was sobbing uncontrollably. I was so emotional and I just wanted to be in my room with my family.
“After transferring my son to Kalispell, they were able to help his lungs get stronger in the NICU so that he could eventually breathe on his own. When we finally took him home, it was a huge relief.
“I realize now that the doctors at North Valley Hospital that made the call that my son needed more specialized care in a NICU saved his life. The caregivers at North Valley who recognized this and worked with us to make the transfer, and the excellent caregivers in Kalispell all saved my newborn son’s life. Now, he’s strong and healthy and we are so grateful for the level of care provided to us from both hospitals in the valley.”
At Kalispell Regional Healthcare we are immensely grateful for our many volunteers who make a difference in the lives of our patients, our staff and our community.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Kalispell Regional Healthcare:
Kalispell Regional Medical Center and KRH Foundation
North Valley Hospital and North Valley Hospital Foundation
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Changing lives through philanthropy
Philanthropy may be a donation of time and/or money. No matter how you choose to give back, know that your gift helps to offer our community lifesaving equipment, patient support, improved facilities and access to quality health care. Thank you for helping us improve the health, comfort and life of our community.
You contribution to the Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation makes a direct and positive impact on the delivery of health care in our community. We are grateful for your support and generosity.