September 2022

Volunteer Spotlight: Susan Page

In Walt Disney’s 1959 film, Sleeping Beauty, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather were the three good fairies; magical creatures who used their powers to help Sleeping Beauty and make her life easier.

In the Beach Cities, these three fairies are rolled up into one: long-time volunteer Susan Page.

It all started with her move from Indiana to the Beach Cities back in 1981, when she was asked by a family member to help with their business. She then changed her career path, working full-time for a semi-conductor and computer distributor. Despite this high-pressure job in the product marketing department, she managed to find time to volunteer at South Bay Hospital.

After her retirement in 2000, Susan wasn’t one to sit still for long! She started working part-time in department store merchandising while she continued volunteering at the hospital, where she helped out at the front desk and in the HR department. When the hospital closed in 1998, Susan transitioned to being the president of auxiliary; support she offered for many years.

At BCHD, she was an errand volunteer before working as a Campus Greeter at the front desk on Prospect Avenue every Thursday afternoon. Whether someone lost their way, needed to find the restrooms, or was feeling anxious about using the elevators, Susan was there to make their day that much happier. As she says, “it’s about adding that personal touch.”

Over the years, Susan has loved the companionship with both the visitors and other volunteers and as she explains, “I’ve really missed this wonderful experience over the past two years but am looking forward to starting back again, hopefully in just a few weeks.”

In addition to her Beach Cities volunteering, she has been the chair of the Salvation Army’s advisory board for the past ten years. She also finds time to help her working daughter by taking her 14 year-old grandson to school.

“Volunteering with Beach Cities Health District is the best decision I’ve made. Being of service to other people and making their day a bit better and easier makes my day,” explains Susan.

Susan is someone who gets her happiness from making others’ lives better.

If Susan’s experience as a Campus Greeter sounds like a good fit for you, scroll down for more information. We are re-starting this role after a COVID-19 hiatus and are looking for volunteers who are friendly, helpful and able to give clear directions.

BCHD Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting

For the third straight year, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has presented a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) for its annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. To read more click here. 

Interested in volunteering (getting back to it or taking the next step to volunteer) with BCHD? See below for what’s currently available and please stay tuned to our newsletters and website as new opportunities arise! Anyone interested is welcome to fill out our Volunteer Application at www.bchd.org/volunteer. If you are or have been a BCHD volunteer or if you have questions, you’re invited to email us at Volunteers@bchd.org.

Campus Greeter – High Need

Volunteers (14+) meet guests who enter the 514 building while also providing general support and customer service duties for the full BCHD campus. Duties include greeting guests and tenants, providing information and referrals to the public, walking visitors to/from medical appointments or allcove Beach Cities upon request, maintaining a clean and orderly area and tracking volunteer hours worked. Must be friendly, helpful and able to push wheelchairs and walk around the campus. Weekly 2-3-hour shift required for one year; scheduling available Monday – Saturday. *Expected commitment for High School students is a semester or over the summer.

Conversation Companion: Support Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

Volunteers (18+) are matched with older adult clients and/or adult clients with disabilities to visit and engage in socialization activities such as life review, watch movies at home or in the theater, play card or board games, take walks, go for lunch, etc. Weekly one to one and a half hour shift commitment.

Errand Volunteer: Support Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

Errand Volunteers (18+) are matched with one of our Community Services Care Management clients and will do weekly shopping for groceries and prescriptions. Weekly one to one a half hour shift commitment for at least three months.

2022 Volunteer Hours

We appreciate the commitment from our community members to help others in 2021. We are grateful for the 25,716 reported hours of BCHD volunteer service in 2021. This number includes vaccines administered, groceries shopped for, prescriptions picked up, calls made, Center for Health & Fitness front desk check-ins, committees met, administrative support, intern projects, gardens kept, and more. Thank you all!

January: 1,041

February: 2,033

March: 1,105

April: 959

May: 1,840

June: 738

July: 2,397

August:1,678

Total: 11,791

Volunteer Anniversaries

Although many of you still are not back to actively volunteering in your usual roles right now, we are endlessly grateful for your commitment. The many collective years of efforts toward a healthy beach community from our volunteer corps is truly incredible.

September Anniversaries

Dennette “Dee Dee” Klute Evans, 13

Karen Brandhorst, 10

Lindley Montoya, 9

Donna Chiodo-Guthrie, 6

Terri (Mary) Burschinger, 6

Barbara Skas, 5

Christina Dier, 5

Ellen Gilman, 5

Jo Labor, 5

Teri Neustaedter, 4

Diane Yu, 3

John McCarthy, 3

Alan Janson, 2

Jackie Jedynak, 2

Paula Dobin, 2

Eva Aleman, 1

Lauren Matoska, 1

Official years of service in BCHD system.