National Volunteer Week is April 21-27, which is a time to acknowledge and thank those who give their time and talents to meet community needs. This year’s theme, “Something for Everyone,” expresses the range of diverse opportunities throughout our community. Volunteers provide services that play important roles in the overall operations of many community organizations, including hospitals and affiliated outpatient centers.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers at Butler Memorial Hospital and our outpatient locations for all they do to serve our patients and assist our staff.

We have approximately 90-plus volunteers donating several hundred hours annually to help with patient care and registration, the gift shop and many other areas. Volunteers choose the amount of time they wish to donate, how these hours are spent and which service areas best suit their desires and personal experiential expertise.

Volunteering is a choice these exceptional men and women have made on behalf of our organization, and we welcome new members. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.independence.health/butler.

As we observe National Volunteer Week, please join me in celebrating all our community volunteers — especially the health care volunteers.

Mindy Dunkerley, chief nursing officer, Independence Health System, Butler Memorial Hospital