• Meet Jim and Pat Clarke
Jim and Pat Clarke moved back to Iowa City to retire, but they've done anything but retire. They've volunteered more than 2,100 hours since becoming volunteers at UI Hospitals and Clinics.
They're an active couple who, by choosing the carefree condo life, had time to volunteer—something they had planned to do when they moved here from Grand Rapids, MN.
When not volunteering, they love to putter around the house, visit their son in Washington D.C, relax at their cabin near Fargo, ND, and travel the world. In fact, they recently returned from a trip to Turkey—and got right back to their volunteering duties the following week.
To see what a close-knit group UI Hospitals and Clinics volunteers are and how volunteering has permeated Pat and Jim's lives, take a close look at their photo. They are posing in front of the Temple of Aphrodite in Istanbul, and what they are holding up is, you guessed it, a copy of The Volunteer Reporter, the UI Hospitals and Clinics volunteer newsletter!
UI Hospitals and Clinics thanks our more than 1,300 volunteers who volunteered more than 92,000 hours this past year. You indeed made a difference!
Meet Jim and Pat Clarke
Names: Jim and Pat Clarke
Ages: Both 67
How long have you been a volunteer?
We've been volunteering about seven years; since 2002. We moved to Iowa City in May of 2000, after living and working in Grand Rapids, MN for 24 years. Pat grew up in Cedar Rapids, and her parents, who are 89 and 90, still live there.
What interested you about becoming a volunteer?
When we retired in 2000 and moved to Iowa City, we had always planned to volunteer. Volunteering had always been a part of our working lives, and continuing was a natural choice.
Our choice of UI Hospitals and Clinics came about as a result of time Jim spent in the hospital. Shortly after we moved to Iowa City Jim fell and injured his hip. Surgery and follow-up physical therapy and care provided by UI Hospitals and Clinics staff, made it a perfect fit for us.
How many hours have you donated?
Pat has over a 1,283 hours and Jim has over 827.
What was your first volunteer post?
We have always worked out of the Volunteer Office. We take turns on Friday mornings, acting as the Day Chair. The other one of us runs errands, works on projects in the office, or helps out on one of the food carts. We also alternate helping out in the Cancer Information Center from 11:30 to 12:30 each Friday. We volunteer at addtional times, when called to substitute for other volunteers.
How many hours a week do you currently volunteer?
Four and one-half hours on Friday; addtional hours if called to substitute for others.
Why have you remained an active volunteer?
UI Hospitals and Clinics is a great place to volunteer. Staff are supportive and appreciative. Interaction with other volunteers is rewarding. Knowing that we're providing a service to others enriches the quality of our retirement.
What is/was your favorite volunteer position?
We both enjoy the Day Chair position. It gives us the opportunity to interact with staff, other volunteers, the public, and patients. It's never boring, as there are always a variety of tasks that need to be done.
What is the best thing about becoming a volunteer?
The opportunity to provide service to others is very rewarding. Volunteering also enables us to meet others from the community that we might not have met otherwise. Volunteering is a natural next step after retiring. It allows you to continue using some of the knowledge and skills that you used in your former working life.
Have you had an especially rewarding moment?
Neither one of us can think of a single event, but rather of several ongoing rewarding moments: The customer at one of the food carts who says - "keep the change" or gives you a "tip" or thanks you for your service. The child who picks out a Sock Monkey Doll and beams as you hand him/her the doll. The UI Hospitals and Clinics staff who thanks you for delivering a chart. The patient in one of the chemo bays who thanks you for bringing him/her a sandwich. All of these things make volunteering a very rewarding experience.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Go for it! It's a great way to get involved in your community and an opportunity to feel like your making a contribution. It's a continuing education experience and a great way to meet some wonderful people. |
