Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 47)

urns “Hospitals are unique in that we need all kinds of skills,” Burnett says. “You name a career, and for the most part, we probably hire those types of people.” Even if you don’t land a hospital job, serving as a trusted volunteer can earn you a glowing reference or an impressive line on your résumé. For example, volunteering in the gift shop could result in a job as cashier, and helping out in the cafeteria could lead to a food service role. Think about where you’d like to end up and volunteer in that direction. Surprisingly, amid economic uncertainty the beneﬁts of volunteering can run even deeper. Contributing your time to a worthy cause is a sureﬁre way to stay positive and even healthy. Various studies suggest that volunteers reap physical and emotional beneﬁts, from less stress and depression to longer lives. According to a 2010 survey by United Healthcare and VolunteerMatch, 68 percent of participants reported feeling better physically since they started volunteering, and 98 percent agreed that volunteering boosts emotional health. Volunteers were also more likely to report a greater sense of well-being, purpose and meaning in their lives. “If you haven’t tried volunteering,” Resnik says, “try it, because you’ll feel so good about the difference you can make.” Make a Difference Where exactly is your donation going at your local hospital? Individual donations, major gift programs, annual fund campaigns and grant programs are used to fund charity care, equipment purchases, healthcare operations, and capital improvements or expansions. “Hospitals are looking more and more to philanthropy just to make the bottom line,” says Jason Chandler, president of the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation. To give on a budget, Chandler recommends: • Making monthly or quarterly payments if paying an annual lump sum is prohibitive. • Factoring charitable donations into your family budget. One creative way to give without breaking the bank is giving up a few soft drinks each month, then donating your savings to your favorite hospital charity. • Doubling your impact by finding out if your employer has a matching-gifts program. If so, your $100 donation could turn into $200. Savvy donors include their favorite charities in their wills. To find out how planned giving can benefit you and Gwinnett Medical Center, visit gmcf.aboutgiving.net. online Planned Giving Is Convenient Vim & Vigor · WI NTER 2011 47 http://gmcf.aboutgiving.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil's Feature
New Hip, New Life
Building Better Heart Care
Back in Action
Supplementary Knowledge
Keys to Survival
Clearing the Air
Mark Harmon of NCIS fame makes 60 look good
This One's For the Girls
Life After a Loss
Do Your Diabetes Homework
Healthy Returns
Prime Time Health
The Future of Breast Health
Growing Generosity
Out of the White Coat
Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center