A hospital is the last place most people want to be as they get caught in the balance of saving their own lives, and many volunteers at St. Joseph Hospital know that.

That’s why their service to the hospital — whether it be delivering flowers, discharging patients or simply offering a smile — has been a key to making the process a bit more carefree for those dealing with illness and misfortune.

Thirty-seven-year volunteer Margaret Hoffman was one of among 250 active volunteers at the hospital that recently celebrated the volunteer program’s 50th anniversary.

As she reflected on her experience, Hoffman’s brown eyes offered a feeling of warmth.

It was that warmth that has comforted hundreds of patients passing through the hospital’s doors — something that has made the experience most rewarding for her.

“If you can go in a room (with a patient) and come out with a smile on their face — that’s what volunteering is all about,” she said. “The pay is great because that’s the pay, knowing you’re making someone smile.”

Marilyn Zibilich, manager of the hospital’s volunteer services, said that all of the work the volunteers do equates to that of fifteen full-time employees.

There’s the “mended hearts” program where volunteers talk to patients after heart surgery to give them comfort and share their experiences.

Or there are the knitters — making hats for preemies — and the musicians — who perform music for patients as therapy.

Their programs are endless, with those as big as managing the Evergreen Lodge home-away-from-home or just delivering coffee to nurses for nurse appreciation week.

“They have positive attitudes and generous hearts,” Zibilich said of the volunteers. “Without them, there wouldn’t be that personal touch. With all the suffering and worry, (patients) need that.”

Walking into the hospital, a volunteer is almost always the first person you see, Zibilich said.

On a recent day, the first person seen in the St. Joseph hospital’s lobby was Lois Zeimer, a 16-year volunteer.

She was answering phones and directing foot traffic while trying to remember how she got there in the first place.

Her husband had passed away, she said, and she wanted to get of the house and do something nice for people.

Sixteen years later, she’s still at it and couldn’t imagine being away. These people are more than familiar faces; they are her friends and her family.

“People wonder if I have a bed here, but I don’t,” she said with a grin.

For volunteer Dick Lauer, manager of the hospital’s gift shop, it was a chance to use his skills working in retail for more than 35 years for a good cause.

“You’re giving back something to the community and I like being able to give back,” he said.

Zibilich said that although volunteering is rewarding, it is not always for everybody.

“Some people don’t feel comfortable around people suffering,” she said. “It’s for those that feel comfortable helping others.”

For more information about volunteering, phone 707-445-8121 ext. 7530.