A legacy of altruism at Ascension Mercy Hospital
Ascension Mercy Hospital has an impressive history of volunteerism and fundraising that spans almost 70 years. Since 1958, volunteers have donated countless hours and helped raise more than $1.5 million.
Last year, 115 active volunteers contributed nearly 22,000 hours of service. Some volunteers help patients navigate the hospital or provide transport. Others organize fundraisers or turn yarn and fabric into craft items that support both patients and Ascension Wisconsin Foundation.
After retiring from nursing, Lisa started volunteering at Ascension Mercy to give back to her community. She volunteers weekly with patient transport.
“Volunteering brings me great joy, and if I can bring a smile to a patient who is anticipating surgery or an anxious guest who needs directions to locate a family member who is hospitalized, then I’ve done my job well. Volunteering is my turn to give back to my community, the community that has served my family and me,” Lisa said.
Lisa also serves on the volunteer board, where fundraising is an important part of the work. One of the group’s biggest fundraisers is its annual flower sale, a tradition that dates back more than 30 years. The sale has raised significant funds over the years, all benefiting the hospital and scholarships for the nursing and radiology program.
Next year will mark 20 years since Karen began volunteering at Ascension Mercy. After nearly three decades working at the hospital, she retired and chose to return as a volunteer and board member. She volunteers as a member of the “project ladies,” who meet each week to sew, crochet, knit and embroider.
The “project ladies” fill the gift shop with embroidered dish towels, baby items, greeting cards, tooth pillows, walker bags and more. Last year, sales of their handmade items generated more than $6,000 for the Foundation.
Fundraising is not the sole focus; however, some of their work is meant to simply make a patient’s day a little better. The group also creates holiday tray favors that are placed on breakfast trays and small pillows for patients recovering from breast surgery.
“Mercy was such a big part of my life for so many years,” Karen said. “Volunteering is my way of giving back to the Foundation and the community that has given so much to me.”
