As a volunteer at Children’s Minnesota, you are part of the team that is privileged to care for the most amazing people on earth. From reading books to patients and their siblings to helping out at a fundraiser, our volunteers provide crucial support to our patients, families and staff.
We sat down with some of our volunteers to learn more about their experiences at Children’s. Read more below:
Cynthia M.
Q: Where do you volunteer at Children’s Minnesota?
A: I volunteer at Children’s Minnesota–Minneapolis. I specifically assist with the playroom activity on 7th floor.
Q: What has been a highlight of your time volunteering at Children’s?
A: Volunteering at Children’s is a new experience every week so it’s hard to pick just one highlight. Every arts and crafts activity I participate in is always so different because each child demonstrates their creativity in a unique way. Additionally, I am fortunate enough to assist during the Minnesota Zoo Zoomobile program which is always a blast.
Sadiq M.
Q: Why do you volunteer at Children’s?
A: I volunteer at children’s because I want to make every child’s day by letting them forget for just one second that they are not alone and that their sickness should not define them as a person. Each smile I get from the child lets me know that I am doing my job.
Q: Why should people volunteer here or anywhere?
A: People should volunteer at Children’s because this will be the highlight of the day/week for you every single week, because it definitely is mine.
Courtney W. and Dillon
Q: Why do you volunteer at Children’s?
A: I volunteer with my therapy dog, Dillon. We began volunteering as a way for Dillon to stay active and utilize his training, but we continue coming for the interactions with the patients, families, and staff. Dillon enjoys the visits as much as the patients do, and it is an incredibly rewarding experience for both of us.
Q: What has been a highlight of your time volunteering at Children’s?
A: Some of the biggest highlights have been seeing the way that patients and family members react when Dillon comes into the room, and hearing their stories about pets they have now or had in the past, and the impact that those animals have had on their lives.
Ira A.
Q: Where do you volunteer at Children’s Minnesota?
A: In Central Sterile Processing at Children’s MN—Minneapolis for over 27 years.
Q: What has been a highlight of your time volunteering at Children’s?
A: Knowing the people and how nice they treat me in the Volunteer Office throughout the years. Everyone’s been very nice.
Taryn W.
Q: Where do you volunteer at Children’s Minnesota?
A: I volunteer with my therapy rabbits, Roxy and Georgie, on the 7th floor. I have been volunteering for 6 years at Children’s. We go to the rooms and visit with the kids. The bunnies get to sit on the bed with the kids and hang out.
Q: What has been a highlight of your time volunteering at Children’s?
A: There are many highlights for me volunteering at Children’s – one of the best is when a child is getting their last chemo treatment and they get to celebrate with the bunnies.