Gift of Shawls, Singing Lifts Patients’ Spirits

COURT HOUSE — While the December weather may be frightful, patients at Cape Regional Medical Center welcomed warm holiday wishes from visiting carolers as well as the gift of hand-crafted shawls.
On Dec. 11, sounds of the season resonated on the hospital’s patient floors as retired Army Gen. Jack Stoner and the Seven Mile Island Singers provided a visit to share the caring gift of song, according to a release.
Many patients and staff members joined the group as they strolled, filling the halls with festive notes and offering a welcome distraction to patients of all ages. The annual event is a highlight of the season that truly brightens the day for all.
Several months ago, the hospital’s Volunteer Services Department also implemented a Patient Comfort Shawl Program, encouraging staff, volunteers and community members to knit or crochet shawls as an amenity for the patients’ use during their stay at Cape Regional Medical Center and then to take home as a gift.
Utilizing donations of yarn, gift cards and personal resources, the skilled crafters spent countless hours creating the cozy shawls. The Nursing Directors then joined the crafters at a Medical Center social to thank them for their priceless contribution of time and talent and to encourage further shawl donations.
“We can not thank all of our volunteers enough who made these beautiful shawls,” stated Julie Paolella, director of Volunteer Services. “They will be a big comfort to many of our patients here at Cape Regional Medical Center.”
Other holiday patient amenities will include cards created by the children at the Medical Center’s Early Education Center as well as special holiday meals.
Anyone who would like to experience the joy of giving of oneself, can join this compassionate group by calling 609-463-2367 for information.
Volunteering for a worthy cause can bring great joy, so join the Cape Regional Medical Center Hospital Volunteer team and be on your way to touching the lives of others.