Volunteer VIP – Anne Shapiro

“Gratitude is an Action”

Contributed by Kathryn Belanger, Within staff writer

A volunteer in Radiation Oncology at Saint Mary’s Health Care, Anne Shapiro has been volunteering for about two years at Saint Mary’s, but only in this position for a year.

“It is wonderful that volunteers can do things like filing, mail sorting, and data entry,” said Shapiro. “It gives the regular staff more time to work directly with patient-centered endeavors.”

Shapiro began volunteering at Saint Mary’s Health Care for many reasons, including the fact that her sister, Sister Rosemary Smith, was already volunteering here.

“It was God-driven and sister-driven,” laughed Shapiro.

Shapiro shared how she has always felt welcomed at Saint Mary’s and enjoys working with the associates in Radiation Oncology.

“It is so gratifying to work with associates who are kind to the people who come through the doors,” said Shapiro. “They have an empathy that is real, not put on.”

She is very active in other volunteering roles as well, like reading aloud on “The Sight Seer,” which is a radio reading service for those who are visually impaired.

One of Shapiro’s favorite things about volunteering at Saint Mary’s is Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Selgo’practice of sending out emails to the volunteers to help in another position for the day.

“It’s like free-style volunteering.” said Shapiro. “Once we went to Emergency Department and were asked to play-act that we had different illnesses so the staff could gain practice helping people with those conditions.”

Shapiro explained that volunteering is and will always be a part of her life.

"My philosophy is that gratitude is an action,” said Shapiro. “Volunteering is my way of giving thanks for the many blessings I've received in life."

Interested in volunteering? Contact Rachel Selgo at selgor@trinity-health.org.