Courtesy Photo Pictured from left to right are Deb Pokorzynski, vice president of nursing services, Amanda Timm, manager of volunteer services; Chuck Sherwin, president of MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, Elaine Kingsbury, Ann Diamond, director of MidMichigan Health Foundation, Jeanne Nowak, Diane Stepanski, Jan Artley and Dennis Artley.

ALPENA — Volunteers at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena were recently recognized for their continued support of staff and patients at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. Volunteers were given pins acknowledging milestones in hours and years of service by Amanda Timm, volunteer services manager.

In 2018 alone, volunteers provided more than 28,000 hours of support at the Medical Center, donated more than $33,000 from special fundraisers and their monthly used book sales and made almost 1,900 items such as blankets, baby hats and booties to give patients the comfort of a hand-crafted gift.

Chuck Sherwin, president of MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, provided an update on the positive progress the Medical Center has made since joining MidMichigan Health and shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming patient tower project to begin in 2020. He emphatically thanked the volunteers for their dedication and their concentration on helping to deliver excellent patient care.

Ann Diamond, development director of MidMichigan Health Foundation, gave a brief history of gifts made by the volunteers to the Medical Center over the years, dating back to 1976, totaling more than $2 million. Volunteers presented a check for $50,000, completing their $350,000 pledge for renovations to the emergency department.

The volunteer team also presented two $1,500 Thelma Orr Scholarships to local students pursuing education in the field of human medicine ­– Natalie Goff, Michigan State University, and Aaron (A.J.) Nowak, Central Michigan University.

“It is great to take the time outside of our regular roles and schedules one night each year to visit, present deserving students with scholarships and celebrate the amazing service of our volunteers,” Timm said. “We couldn’t do what we do without them.”