Special to the Journal

Bladen County Hospital honored its volunteers at an appreciation and awards banquet on Tuesday, May 10 at The Barn. Fifty-seven volunteers and guests attended and enjoyed a delicious meal catered by the Front Porch.

The theme for the evening was "Volunteers Give The Gift of Time." A watch was presented to each of the volunteers in appreciation of their service to the hospital. Volunteers shared nearly 11,000 hours of their time in 2004.

Dr. Pearly Hoskins, chairman of the Bladen County Hospital Board, thanked the volunteers fro the mission they were on at the hospital and said the hospital could not operate as successfully without their presence.

David Masterson, chief executive officer, also thanked the volunteers and commented that he made the decision to go into hospital administration after volunteering in a hospital as a teen. He said the selfless acts of volunteers were an inspiration to all who came in contact with the hospital.

Mickey Nye, a hospital volunteer who has served as treasurer of the Bladen County Hospital Auxiliary for many years, read a joke about sharing.

Faye Womble, director of volunteer services, then spoke for a few minutes about the importance of giving the most priceless gift, the gift of one's time. She thanked the volunteers for all they had meant to the hospital and to her through the years. Several were recognized for having volunteered since 1976-Mickey Nye, Eugenia Gooden, and Estelle Summerlin.

Certificates of appreciation were then presented to all the volunteers. Briana Graham, who has been assisting in the department of volunteer services, helped Mrs. Womble with the presentations.

At that point, the prestigious award for "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year for 2004" was presented to Grace Britt. Managers of the various hospital departments made the selection.

Mrs. Britt began volunteering in August of 2003. During 2004, she contributed over 1,000 hours of service to the hospital often coming six or seven days a week if needed. She was selected because of the amount of time and energy that she gives to the hospital, her reliability, her kind and caring heart, and her ability to "brighten your day."

Volunteers in attendance included: Mickey Nye, Janice Allen, Mary Hunsaker, Betty Warwick, June Watkins, Arthur Watkins, Kristie Lennon, Kathy Rhew, Kaye Dennis, Eugenia Gooden, Carolyn Smith, Joan Marion, Marie Lewis, Barbara Rice, Pauline Butler, J.V. Butler, Grace Robbins, Lloyd Breckenridge, and Jane Breckenridge.

Also, Nancy Hardee, Del Pait, Rosaalie Bryant, Nora Gaddy, Bill James, Dorothy Autry, Daphne Butler, Virginia Gause, Carolyn Britt, Grace Britt, Lib Evans, Ruby Johnson, and Lee Singletary.

Those unable to attend include: Shirley Hough, Kitty Cole, Lillian Blackburn, Adeline Marion, Elizabeth Wilson, Hazel Clark, Margie Hamilton, Estelle Summerlin, Gwen Harris, Alma Britt, Edna Suggs, Joel Pava, Gabriela Pava, Elizabeth Wilson, Eunice Dennis, Annette Jorday, Adrienne Palma, Dorothy Pervine, and Dorris Cook.

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