Volunteering is a gift to the community and what better time to bring you this next story then on Christmas. 

It will be one year pretty soon since Sharlett Mcclara and her husband James became volunteers at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center.   "The Lord has been so good to us and I thought it was time that we start giving back. The spirit of giving I think comes from within your heart."

And Sharlett's giving back by working in the recovery and waiting room while James gets to drive the golf cart around the hospital.   "Pick people up at their cars. Help them find their cars when they lose them.  When it's raining make a short trip for them so that  they don't get wet." 

But this couple has a history of volunteering and together they've also started collecting aluminum cans to help their community around Christmas time. Sharlett says,  "We use the aluminum can money that we get each week to purchase things for the children for Christmas. We sent two girls to camp. Last year we had a lot of people give us bikes and we used the money to mend the bikes."

James says,  "Last year at Christmas, I think there was 22 of them I gave away.  Twenty-two bikes. After Charlie and everything that was the only transportation they had to get back and forth to work was their kids bike. That's my Christmas."

And this couple has shown us the true meaning of Christmas. 

If you would like to become a volunteer one number to call is 239-939-8636. John has confirmed that all of our hospitals in the local area welcome new volunteers.