Volunteers Give More Than Their Time

This article first appeared in the 2020 Annual Update.

Donating time and resources are two of the most generous ways to give, and the Vail Health Volunteer Corps does both. A twofold organization, the Vail Health Volunteer Corps supports the highest level of compassionate, patient-centered care across the organization.

“We are committed to making a difference in the community by showing our dedication to the patients and guests who visit Vail Health,” says Jane Reisinger, President of Vail Health Volunteer Corps.

Founded in 1979, the organization has grown from 13 to more than 100 members. Although the Volunteer Corps initially focused their efforts on fundraising for the hospital, they have since become instrumental in helping patients, guests, and staff at Vail Health Hospital, Shaw Cancer Center, Sonnenalp Breast Center, and Beaver Creek Medical Center on a daily basis. Since January 2021, the volunteers have also assisted the vaccine clinics at Vail Health.

“So many of our volunteers have stepped up and put many hours into helping the team,” adds Reisinger. “This is an extremely caring and generous group of people.”

Kind Gestures That Make a Big Difference

Since its inception, the organization has raised and contributed over $1.5 million to Vail Health through their fashion shows, gift shop sales, and bake sales. Each year, they donate more than 5,000 service hours and $50,000 to Vail Health.

Reisinger explains that the Volunteer Corps provided the seed money for a mobile simulation lab, which later became the MIRA (Mobile Intercultural Resource Alliance) bus. In the early years, they also donated critical equipment to assist the Breast Care Center in obtaining timely lab results for cancer surgeries.

Proceeds from the Vail Health Gift Shop are a critical part of the Volunteer Corps’ fundraising efforts. The Volunteer Corps donated funds for the InBody equipment used in internal medicine and endocrinology, the “First Baby of the Year” gift, daily newspaper delivery to Jack’s Place, equipment for sexual assault examinations, the infusion chair at Shaw Cancer Center, and the Bravo! Vail orchestra musicians that perform at Vail Health Hospital. The group also funds the pianist who plays on Tuesday afternoons and covers the upkeep of the grand piano that longtime volunteer Sheri Ball donated.

In 2021, the group continues to grow due to the overwhelming sense of appreciation from community members attending COVID-19 vaccine clinics. So far, more than 55 new volunteers have joined the group, including 10 high-school-aged Junior Volunteers. By providing a meaningful volunteer experience, the organization continues to be recognized as one of the best opportunities in the Vail Valley.

Please contact volunteer services program manager Erin Gersbach at (970) 479-5068 or gersbach@vailhealth.org, or visit our Volunteer Corps webpage to learn more.