A Brighter Day for Hospital Patients Thanks to Volunteers from the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter

The American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter provides services to 12 southwest Missouri counties. In Taney County, more than 100 volunteers give 10,000 hours of service annually at a local hospital in Branson, Missouri. Many of the Taney County volunteers have been active with the Red Cross for a number of years; two have been involved with the chapter since its charter in 1957. Mary Capstick has been a Red Cross volunteer for 14 years. She helps brighten the day for hospital patients by making creative tray favors out of greeting cards and other materials.

Jackie Wheeler, president of the Taney County volunteers, coordinates activities that include:

• Delivering meals and snacks to patients and if necessary, helping patients eat
• Delivering daily newspapers and personal mail that patients may receive at the hospital
• Maintaining a library of books and magazines for patients and their families and delivering these materials to patient's rooms and waiting areas
• Reading to patients and helping them with letter-writing
• Assisting with Transitional Care Unit luncheons

Betty and Joe Lewis moved to Branson from Mesa, Arizona in 1995. Betty soon found herself working at the Lawrence Welk Show gift shop and Joe worked as a hotel desk clerk. Asked what motivates them to volunteer for the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter, Betty says "we want to give back to the community…. we want to give back to others."

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