In recognition of National Volunteer Week, River Parishes Hospital recently honored its volunteers at a luncheon in the hospital’s Medical Pavilion.

Gerald Fornoff, hospital CEO, welcomed everyone to the banquet and thanked the volunteers for their service to the hospital. In 2011, the RPH volunteers donated a total of 7,400 hours at the hospital, which is equivalent to 3.5 employees. He also recognized two volunteers, Jean Haas and Wilhelmina Armour, who have been volunteering at the hospital since it opened 30 years ago.

Tammy Waltz, Community Relations coordinator, then awarded each volunteer with a certificate signifying the amount of hours he/she volunteered in 2011 and the total number of hours volunteered throughout his/her tenure at the hospital. A total of 28 volunteers were recognized. Volunteers who reached a milestone in service hours were awarded a bar to hang from their volunteer pin. In recognition of the hospital’s 30th anniversary, Haas and Armour were each presented with flowers for having volunteered at the hospital since it opened.

“We rely on our volunteers a great deal,” said Waltz. “They assist us in several of our patient care areas and staff our gift shop. We enjoy being able to recognize and honor them for everything they do for us throughout the year.”