What is your favorite part about volunteering?
Arvin Operario: “It’s the opportunity to give back to the community.
I believe Southwest Medical’s success is because of the community that supported us and this is one great way to give back and show our gratitude.”
Victoria Taylor: “Southwest Medical has many Employee Community Councils at its health centers across the Las Vegas Valley, so some of us may go weeks or months without seeing each other. But when we all arrive at an event in our purple shirts, we unite as one huge team ready to give back to the community.”
Jannah Weathers: “Really, it’s just the giving back to the people, helping in any way we can.”
Alfred Garcia: “Yes, being able to help people and bringing them smiles.”
Joseph Leone: “I agree. Working with such a great group of individuals and being able to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
Arvin Operario: “One of the best experiences I had was after a massive typhoon in the Philippines. A request came from one of our providers to see how we could assist. Within two weeks, we were able to collect more than 20 large cargo boxes of toys, clothing and canned goods. I am very grateful to work in an organization that is extremely generous and thinks to send needed items to countries thousands of miles away.”
Pamela Hetterscheidt: “The ability to give back to the community. Southwest Medical has grown because of the community supporting this healthcare practice. The best experience that I have had was delivering food to the elderly. At my last stop was an elderly lady and her little dog.
I started a conversation with her and asked her what she did to stay active. She told me she makes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and bottled water and walks down by the freeway to feed the homeless. I was amazed that she herself had so little but she still did what she could to give back.”
How long have you been a volunteer?
Alfred Garcia: 1 year
Pamela Hetterscheidt: 3 years
Joseph Leone: 2 years
Arvin Operario: 4 years
Victoria Taylor: 4 years
Jannah Weathers: 2 months
Rosicela Wellington: 5 years
How many hours do you volunteer each week?
Each volunteer donates about three to five hours a week, or more if the group has a larger project.
What groups have you done volunteer work for? What did some of the volunteer duties entail?
The Rancho Health Center Employee Community Council has supported several different organizations for the past few years. They include the American Heart Walk, the American Lung Association “Scale the Strat” event, Coupons for Troops, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Project 150, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, the St. Therese HIV Food Pantry, Dress for Success Southern Nevada, the St. Rose Boat Regatta and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Duties have entailed collecting and dropping off donated items, serving as liaison between the charity organizations and Southwest Medical employees, organizing events, participating in fundraising races and similar sporting events (such as walks and runs). The St. Rose Boat Regatta (in support of a breast cancer cure) included multiple practice sessions with the team at Lake Las Vegas.
How did the idea of volunteering as a team evolve?
Rosicela Wellington: “It was really just an outcome of our drive to make a difference in our community.”
Victoria Taylor: “When the Employee Community Council came along, it opened up a new horizon. The possibilities are endless — even though we have a core of employees who participate with the decision-making, all of the employees have input on how we coordinate our activities. Everyone’s voice is important, which increases our innovation. Our team gets stronger every year.”
Alfred Garcia: “I find that people are more willing to volunteer if they can partner with just one more person at the same time. It’s even better if they know each other already, or if a group of friends all volunteer at the same time.”
Pamela Hetterscheidt: “Our organization’s values include compassion and relationships. I have never been a part of an organization that gives so much back to the community. I never really volunteered until I became part of Southwest Medical.”
What makes a good volunteer?
Rosicela Wellington: “That person needs to have integrity, selflessness, compassion and the ability to build relationships.”
Joseph Leone: “A good volunteer is someone who is caring, understanding and unselfish. A good volunteer is a person who understands that they have the ability to make an impact — to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Alfred Garcia: “That person must be willing to help, but not expect anything in return. It needs to come from the heart.”
Pamela Hetterscheidt: “People who have the ability to grow relationships, who have the compassion to get out in the community and help.”
How do you balance your hours in the workplace with time spent volunteering?
Rosicela Wellington: “I have a very supportive leader in the organization that allows me to incorporate this during my work week.”
Jannah Weathers: “I prioritize my work, block out time in my day to volunteer — and we have a supportive management team.”
Joseph Leone: “I spend time working, planning and training in the evenings and weekends.”
Arvin Operario: “I dedicate a time during the work day, especially if there is a project coming up.”
Victoria Taylor: “Prioritizing is the key. Most of my volunteering is done after work hours, which I enjoy. Volunteering after work also helps me to instill this value within my family. My family participates in many events with me.”
Pamela Hetterscheidt: “Most if not all of my volunteer work is on my personal time. I also have the support of the leaders within the organization that allow me to incorporate this during my work week.”
What advice would you have for other organizations that want to bring the spirit of volunteering to the workplace?
Rosicela Wellington: “Have meetings and regular communication about the project, and all members of the team deserve a voice on each project.”
Jannah Weathers: “Communicate to all team members and listen to their ideas.”
Arvin Operario: “Volunteering encourages and enhances teamwork in the organization. I would recommend establishing a team and dedicating time for volunteering activities and regular communications about the project.”
Victoria Taylor: “On our St. Rose Boat Regatta team, it was not about who was stronger or faster. We knew that if our paddles were not in sync we would fail. We all have to paddle like a well-oiled machine. Teamwork is the key.”
Alfred Garcia: “Promote to your employees that volunteering helps keep day-to-day duties interesting, ever-changing and rewarding.”
Pamela Hetterscheidt: “Volunteering encourages and enhances team work in the organization. It aids in building relationships within the team and out in the public.“
What other activites are you involved in when you aren't volunteering?
Rosicela Wellington: “Being a grandmother of four, travel, training.”
Joseph Leone: “Time with family and at church.”
Jannah Weathers: “Bringing my daughters to and from to all their school activities.”
Arvin Operario: “Being a dad to two daughters.”
Victoria Taylor: “I love doing aerobics (Zumba, Hip Hop, Turbo Kick, Mixed Fit). I also love spending quality time with my family.”
Alfred Garcia: “I love to spend time with my family and friends doing outdoor activities. I’m also a big movie fan and enjoy taking long road trips.”
Pamela Hetterscheidt: “I enjoy hiking and reading.”
What is the biggest reward from volunteering?
Rosicela Wellington: “To know I have helped and seeing how happy it makes people.”
Jannah Weathers: “Knowing that the smallest thing can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life.
Joseph Leone: “Making less fortunate people smile.”
Arvin Operario: “I agree — bringing smiles to people.”
Victoria Taylor: “I like helping people. One of my favorite sayings is
‘If you see someone in need, reach out a helping hand to lift them up.’”
Alfred Garcia: “Getting to know people who share the same interests. Being able to say ‘I don’t live a boring life!’ — that, and the personal development in life.”
Pamela Hetterscheidt: “To make someone feel good and help the people that need it. To do good for others.”