Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412230032
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: PETER S. WILLIS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CATAWBA LENGTH: Long
Stores are mobbed, traffic is a nightmare, and the perfect gift for that special someone may seem impossible to find.
But at Catawba Hospital, folks are taking extra care picking out gifts for patients who would receive little holiday cheer without the volunteer-supported and funded Operation Santa Claus.
The program brings Christmas caroling, holiday parties and wrapped gifts to the hospital's patients.
"Everything that comes into this hospital goes right to the patient," said Jane Wills, director of Volunteer Service.
The majority of the patients at the facility are over age 65. Many have outlived their families or have no immediate relatives in the area, said Dr. Maureen Schnittger, director of clinical services. Some face the possibility of spending Christmas alone.
Operation Santa Claus gives interested groups and individuals an opportunity to spread holiday spirit among the patients.
Volunteer participation throughout the year is an essential supplement to the facility's treatment and rehabilitation programs. The participants are not involved in direct patient care, but provide peripheral and support activities to enhance the quality of the patients' lives.
This volunteer support becomes even more important during the holiday period when normal participation levels are at a seasonal low.
Many organizations - from large corporations to local civic clubs - have contributed to Operation Santa Claus since its creation in 1970. Most groups have continued their involvement over the years, becoming part of the "Catawba family" Wills said.
"They know the staff, they know the patients, and they become really tied to the hospital," she said
This is the first Christmas that a university fraternity and sorority have adopted a patient for the planned holiday activities. Their participation is largely because of the efforts of Wills, who canvassed clubs and organizations at both Radford University and Virginia Tech for possible volunteers.
Schnittger viewed the recruitment of both Sigma Chi fraternity and Sigma Gamma Rho sorority as a positive step in the further development of the hospital's volunteer services department.
"We're really excited that here is this new group of volunteers wanting to get involved," she said.
For the members of Sigma Chi fraternity in Radford, the adoption of an elderly male patient for Operation Santa Claus was a unanimous decision. All 37 members are pitching in to provide a surrogate family and a merry Christmas for their patient, said Eric Craig, vice president and service chairman.
(A hospital confidentiality policy does not allow a patient's name to be used.)
The fraternity members already are closely involved with their patient and the participation has benefited both.
"He's excited, he has somebody looking out for him. It matters, it really means a lot," Craig said.
Sigma Chi fraternity members are determined to continue the relationship with their adopted patient for as long as possible. They also will continue their involvement with the hospital this spring. Plans are already on the drawing board for construction of a Butterfly Garden and maintenance of the hospital's nature trail.
The seven members of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority will brighten the holiday of an elderly female patient this Christmas.
The limited size of the sorority means few members will be here through the holiday season so the involvement will be on a more personal level for members as the full sorority will not be able to participate. But ensuring a happy holiday for their patient is important to Clarisa Woody, second vice president and project coordinator.
The sorority members themselves benefit from the knowledge that they're "helping someone in need," she added.
While the sorority is small - its seven active members include both Radford and Virginia Tech - their dedication is not. Operation Santa Claus will become a permanent addition to Sigma Gamma Rho's calendar for years.
Many of the volunteer activities provided for the patients are simple. Often writing a letter, reading aloud or providing a sympathetic ear is all a patient desires from a volunteer. Monthly birthday activities with volunteer involvement are some of the best received events, Wills said.
Visits from family members and friends are rare for some of the older patients, especially those without relatives in the area. Volunteers can provide the necessary warmth and attention that these individuals need at Christmas and throughout the year.
The volunteers are screened for suitability before they are allowed to participate in one of the many programs. Approved volunteers receive orientation training on hospital policies, safety procedures, patient rights and patient confidentiality. A short training manual and brief tour are also part of the orientation procedure.
"It's real important with this being a psychiatric hospital that the [volunteers] know what they are seeing and what is expected of them," Schnittger said.
Volunteers are essential to the success of Operation Santa Claus, and there is still a desperate need for many to become involved. Organizers say cash donations, gifts, patient adoption, volunteer gift wrappers and Christmas entertainment are opportunities for both groups and individuals to share the holiday spirit with the patients at Catawba Hospital.
For more information on Operation Santa Claus, please contact Jane Wills, director of Volunteer Services of Catawba Hospital at (703) 375-4342.
by CNB