By SUE ELLEN ROSS Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Margie Guidry has been very busy during her retirement years. Her current position as volunteer in the River Parishes Hospital brings her in daily contact with many types of visitors. She makes new friends and sees old acquaintances each week.

All hospital volunteers are identified by their cheerful purple uniforms and name tags. “Sometimes, when people see my outfit, they ask about volunteering,” she said. They also ask her how she can dedicate so much time to the hospital without monetary compensation.

“It’s because I enjoy this work and do it out of the goodness of my heart,” she said. “It makes me feel like I am doing something to help others.”

Guildry’s children are Pattie LeBouf; Eva Guidry; and Ann Marie Derby. She has one granddaughter, 2-month-old Ava Derby.

Her children are happy that their mom has ‘happy’ work to fill her days. And that this type of work is exactly what she wants to do.

The dedicated lady doesn’t call off from her two days-a-week schedule.”There’s never been a day when I didn’t want to come to work,” she said. “It is always a pleasant experience.”

Over the past 22 years, she has worked in the surgery waiting room, run errands as needed, and helped transport patients. Her current station is behind the cash register in the hospital Gift Shop.

Displaying and selling the various merchandise gives the volunteer an idea of sales trends. As in any business, there are certain items more popular than others.

“Angels (figurines, pins, etc.) at one time were selling like hotcakes,” said Guidry. “And candy is always popular.”

Balloons and plants are continual best-sellers, she added.

In addition to her hospital service, Guidry works with a Bereavement Group at Sacred Heart Church in Norco.

‘The Angels of Mercy’, developed seven years ago, assists the bereaved in various ways as needed. Guidry was instrumental in forming the group with then-pastor Father John Morris.

“I feel this is what I need to do,” she said of her volunteer work. “I am giving part of myself back to the community.”