National Volunteer Week is the perfect opportunity to recognize the more than 200 passionate volunteers who donate their time and talents and provide vital support to Lexington Medical Center and its communities. This year’s annual recognition week is April 17 to April 23. 

At Lexington Medical Center, Volunteer Services provides supplementary, non-clinical assistance to staff, patients, families and visitors. Areas of service at the main campus include the Surgical Lobby, Main Desk, 4th East, Patient Registration, Mother/ Baby, flower and patient belonging deliveries, gift shops and Radiology. The department also assists with patient discharge Monday through Friday and provides volunteers at LMC Irmo, LMC Lexington and LMC Northeast Columbia. 

“Volunteers helping with the Main Desk, Patient Discharge and Patient Registration have been a huge help to staff, patients and visitors. From delivering flowers, cards and personal belongings to our COVID-19 patients to helping our patients and visitors find their way through our facilities, volunteers are a huge asset,” said Ann Wingate, director of Volunteer Services. 

The Lexington Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary also shares in the goal of Volunteer Services and serves as a link between the organization and its communities. In fiscal year 2020–2021, the Auxiliary: 

• Gifted the LMC Foundation 

       - $1,000 for Founder membership renewal 

       - $50,000 for the first installment payment for the stained glass
         ($100,000 commitment) in the new chapel 

       - $60,000 for the third installment payment for Serenity Garden ( $250,000
          commitment) 

• Awarded $51,000 through 38 scholarships 
• Donated $22,000 for surgical cough pillows 
• Purchased Care Notes for Pastoral Care for $6,000 
• Hosted five uniform sales and one virtual uniform sale as fundraisers 
• Donated $1,280 to the Emergency Care Fund through "Share Your Love with a Light" 

Importantly, in what has been an unprecedented time for all hospitals and health care systems, volunteers continue to adapt to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The commitment of volunteers and their perseverance to serve continues to be instrumental to the health and safety of hospitals and communities. 

“I am so proud of our volunteers. They have truly shown their dedication and devotion to LMC staff, patients and visitors in the past two years,” said Wingate.