Highland Community Hospital is currently seeking volunteers who are willing to help with various tasks, such as patient care and clerical work.

Volunteer Coordinator Robynn Shubert said the hospital can use anyone who has a little extra time on their hands and wants to give back to the community. She said there are various opportunities in different departments to volunteer around the hospital, such as administrative duties, care for swing bed patients, supplemental services for emergency staff and others.

Shubert said they regularly need volunteers to see if patients need a warm blanket or a cold glass of water. Swing bed patients, who are typically at the hospital for long periods of time, need some source of day-to-day amusement, so she encourages volunteers to bring games, puzzles or books to keep patients entertained. For those who want to volunteer but prefer to be in the background, Shubert said there are clerical duties that can be performed, such as answering phones, mail duty and others.

The hospital currently benefits from the assistance of several volunteers from all across the county as well as volunteers from Pearl River, La. Shubert said four students from Pearl River Community College who are studying pre-med also volunteer to get a feel for their department of choice. There is room for anyone who wants to help, Shubert said.

Mary Carlisle said she has been volunteering at Highland for four years and primarily works with the hospital’s wheelchairs. She said she makes sure the emergency room is stocked with wheelchairs and helps patients get out to their cars. Carlisle said she also helps direct visitors to their destination in the hospital.

Carlisle said she started volunteering four years ago after losing her husband of 50 years. She said she needed a reason to get out of the house and wanted to help the community in some way.

“I’ve met some wonderful people. When you volunteer, you feel you go an extra mile to help others. I enjoy working here – I really do,” Carlisle said.

Shubert said for those who want to help but don’t want to volunteer in person, there are other ways to help. Several local church groups make treat baskets to put in the waiting area and in staff breakrooms. Members of Juniper Grove Baptist Church in Poplarville regularly make “comfort pillows” for children at the hospital, Shubert said.  She said they never run out of room for volunteers.

Shubert said that in order to provide assistance at the hospital there is a two-week application process. Other requirements include being at least 18-years-old and undergo an interview. After the interview process, a background check and drug screen are conducted – all at the expense of the hospital.

For more information, call 601-358-9729.