Montreal health care volunteers celebrated for their kindness

Volunteers at the CIUSSS West Central Montreal were celebrated for their kindness at an event Thursday evening.

A section of the Jewish General Hospital’s pavilion K was filled with music, food, and smiles — a way to thank those who generously give their time at the multiple facilities.

“It’s very heartwarming,” said Giuseppe Mignelli, volunteer at the hospital. “I really appreciate it, and I’m blessed to be a part of this.”

Mignelli has been volunteering for over a year now, after his retirement.

His role, guiding people through the hospital’s many pavilions and floors.

“It means a lot to me,” he explained. “I find that volunteering at this hospital is a way for me to contribute and to give back to society.”

From also organizing activities to visiting patients, the CIUSSS West Central Montreal has more than 1,000 active volunteers in its over 30 establishments.

“We’re covering six elder care centers,” said Marko Obradovic, the Chief of Volunteer Services at CIUSSS West Central Montreal. “We are covering five CLSCs.”

“We have two rehab hospitals,” he added. “And we have the Jewish General Hospital.”

“We have volunteers actually everywhere,” said Obradovic.

Including volunteers at the Father Dowd Residential Centre – where CEGEP student, Alexandrine Lafrenière, spends time with the elderly who are no longer able to live independently.

“If they don’t talk, I know just like expressing sounds and just feeling the presence of someone besides you,” she said. “It makes the difference in their days.”

Lafrenière brought 20 people from her school to volunteer at the Centre –- even spearheading a tea party for the residents.

“The resident loved it,” she said.

“It was so festive,” said Obradovic. “The music, they were singing.”

“It was a beautiful place at that moment,” he added. “Almost like the best place in the world.”

From one hour per week to anything one can offer the community, the CIUSSS encourages others to give their time, and join their team of volunteers that feel like family.

“It’s our leaders that will come today,” said Obradovic, on the event. “Our employees, even our patients.”

“Everybody will join to tell (the volunteers) big thank you for everything they do.”

“It’s not a job to go there every week,” said Lafrenière. “It’s fun to like feeling recognized at some point.”

“I’m really grateful for this event today.”

“People are kind,” said Mignelli. “And I’m really glad to be a part of it.”