Butler Memorial Hospital Auxiliary volunteers Alison Jones (left) and Pat Forcht push the with goods and supplies to patients at BMH.

Alison Jones and Pat Forcht have busy lives, but they always find time to volunteer at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Both spend days pushing the hostess cart full of candy, gum, magazines, books and other sundries to patients throughout the hospital.

Forcht began volunteering in 1977, while Jones didn't get started until 1981.

The women and their fellow volunteers are well known in the hospital for their dedication and helpfulness, especially for those patients who have few visitors.

But then Jones knows what it is like to be a patient at Butler Memorial. In 1996, she became the first open-heart surgery patient at the hospital.

"It makes me feel better to have done something for my neighbors and community by helping out in the hospital," Jones said.

Not as if either Butler woman hasn't done a lot for her community already with Jones having raised two sons and a daughter, and Forcht having six sons.

As for seniors serving as volunteers for many organizations in Butler County, Forcht pointed out that once retired, people have more time to help out.

"We also understand more about life and that helping out makes us feel like we've done something good that day," she added.