BANGOR – Volunteer week is an annual spring event for Eastern Maine Medical Center, and this year it’s April 19-23 to coincide with National Volunteer Week.

The weeklong affair is a chance for area residents to learn what types of volunteer activities are available at the hospital and to sign up, said Lynda Rohman, director of Volunteer Services for EMMC.

“We have over 40 departments that the volunteers support and over 300 active volunteers,” she said. “It’s part of the fabric of who were are. We have a community of volunteers who help out in a wide variety of ways.”

All week long the hospital’s Volunteer Services office is hosting an open house 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. The Points of Light Foundation of Washington, D.C., sponsors National Volunteer Week.

“People can stop in and find out more about volunteering,” Rohman said. “There is a wide variety of places people can volunteer.”

The hospital has two new programs that offer volunteer opportunities – Roving Ambassadors and the Palliative Care program.

“Roving Ambassadors is really for social, outgoing people who want to provide escort and directions throughout the hospital,” Rohman said. “It’s a whole lot of walking, so there is exercise involved.

“Our Palliative Care program supports patients and families experiencing challenges related to life-threatening illnesses and end-of-life-care decision making,” she said. “This is a highly meaningful volunteer position that affords volunteers an opportunity to extend compassion and listening support to patients and families facing difficult issues.”

Training for the Palliative Care program is required and is provided after acceptance into the program.

Last year volunteers donated more than 30,000 hours of service to EMMC patients.

“Our oldest EMMC volunteer is 94 years young and still comes in two mornings a week to deliver the patient mail,” the hospital’s Web site states.

EMMC has three volunteers with more than 40 continuous years of volunteer service and 18 volunteers with more than 20 continuous years.

On Friday, April 30, EMMC will recognize its volunteers. Any hospital volunteers who have donated 100 or more hours will be awarded a lapel pin. The names of those who have earned 3,000 hours will be placed on a plaque displayed in the hospital.

Volunteers at EMMC also receive benefits, which include: free flu shots and screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol, discounts at the hospital’s pharmacy, cafeteria and fitness center, along with free parking at the hospital.

“By far the greatest benefit is the friendships that are formed,” Rohman said.