Meet David and Florene Johns. They’ve been volunteering at Lee Memorial Hospital for more than 5 years after Florene read an article about an upcoming volunteer meeting.

“I coerced my husband to come too, so we came to a meeting and it led to signing up,” explains Florene. “We’ve been together 50 years, what she does, I do,” laughs David. “He came with me; he was willing to do that. But I was willing to sign up immediately and he hesitated a little but he did it and he’s really glad he did it,” adds Florene.

David is a courier. He helps patients who are discharged, makes deliveries, and takes care of other needs around the facility. “Anything. Somebody needs something you know, they’ll come down, they’ll call from here to come and get magazines and take them to certain places to be put out. There are lots and lots of different things you are doing,” says David. Florene has just been appointed as Lee Memorial Hospital’s Information Desk Chairman. She answers phone calls and helps those who need assistance.

“I love it. I love working with people,” adds Florene. The couple volunteer more than 8 hours a week and find it truly rewarding “You know, there’s a sense of being able to help somebody. That may sound a little corny maybe but you know, I’m 79 and she’s 82 and when you feel how blessed you are to be able to push someone in a wheelchair or to help someone or even if its just a couple of kind words they really appreciate it and it does a lot for you,” says David. Florene agrees, “and people are fun, whether they are patients or just coming to see somebody or whatever, it’s really fun.”

To become a volunteer is easy. All you need to do is fill out a simple questionnaire, attend a few orientation meetings, be willing to give four hours a week, and with your service comes a few added perks. Donna Bradish is the Director of Volunteer Services: “Well, we provide a meal voucher to volunteers who have worked at least four hours when they come in for their shift,” adds Bradish. “The strange part is it costs you nothing except your time,” adds David.

A few moments that could leave a lasting impact. For more information on becoming a volunteer, you can call any of the hospitals in the Lee Memorial System network or log on to leememorial.org and click on “volunteers” on the homepage.