Giving Back is the Greatest Gift of All

Winston Churchill famously said, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”

This message is at the crux of who we are as humans. It speaks to the community mindedness that we have as humans – even when some of those old traditions of giving back may seem to have disappeared.

At Beebe Healthcare, we are fortunate to have volunteers who help us in many facets of what we do. From the surgery center to sitting with patients at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus to selling crafts and managing the Beebe Treasure Chest Thrift Store – our volunteers are the heart and soul of Beebe.

“I am grateful for my volunteers. We are a big family here,” says Joe Pembroke, manager of the Beebe Treasure Chest Thrift Store near Midway. “We are always looking for special volunteers. We have the best volunteers here in Delaware.”

Volunteers at the Thrift Store recently enjoyed a holiday luncheon and chatted about all they do and why they love giving back to Beebe and the community.

“I’m a former Girl Scout, so I guess I have always had the volunteering spirit,” says Tina Light of Lewes who volunteers at the Thrift Store. “I’ve made lots of friends through volunteering here at the thrift store. Volunteering makes me feel good and I can contribute to the community.”

Don and Marina Baird of Milton moved to Delaware seven years ago and have been volunteering with Beebe for six years.

“We have certainly become part of the Beebe family and the volunteers we have met here are like our extended family,” said Don.

Marina agreed. “Volunteering is so important and you get more back than you expect. We feel good about giving back to the community and to Beebe, but we have made incredible friendships here.”

The team at the Thrift Store sorts all of the donations and determines what can be sold, for how much, and then places them within the store. There are many, many jobs for volunteers at the Thrift Store through the Beebe Medical Center Auxiliary.

“The Beebe Auxiliary has been around since 1936 and our main objective is to raise funds and advance the welfare of Beebe,” said Lesley Nance, a member of the Auxiliary. “Each year, we present Beebe with a check that comes from all of our fundraising efforts – the Gift Shop at the Lewes Campus; the Thrift Store at Midway; craft, book, and uniform sales; and additional fundraising activities.”

Since its founding, the Auxiliary has donated nearly $4 million to Beebe Healthcare to help fund the not-for-profit healthcare system.

“Here at the Thrift Store, we all work together. I don’t know what I would do without these great volunteers,” said Joe Pembroke. “They make me proud every day.”

Joe adds – Beebe is always looking for volunteers – join the best group of volunteers in Delaware!

Here are the ways you can volunteer:

• Beebe Medical Center Auxiliary: The Beebe Auxiliary operates the Treasure Chest Thrift Store at Midway, the Gift Shop at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus, and has a variety of committees, including a craft committee. All of the money raised goes to support Beebe Healthcare. Learn more: [email protected].
• Beebe Healthcare Volunteer Services: Beebe’s Volunteer Services team helps at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus, the Rehoboth Beach Health Campus, and Tunnell Cancer Center. Volunteers help visitors find their way, circulate reading materials, deliver mail, work on projects, and more. In addition, Beebe’s dedicated team of Pet Therapy volunteers – those volunteers who are trained to bring dogs into Beebe locations – greet patients and visitors in Lewes and at health campuses. There are also volunteer opportunities for students. Contact Lee Halloran to find out more: (302) 645-3531 or [email protected].
• Beebe Medical Foundation – events volunteers: Beebe Medical Foundation is the philanthropic arm for Beebe Healthcare. Its volunteers work to provide support at events and in the Foundation offices. Call (302) 644-2900 to learn more.