Adult Auxiliary Volunteer Program
St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary has openings for men and women who enjoy being of service to visitors in both hospital and non-hospital settings. As members of a friendly, supportive auxiliary, you can meet new people, make lasting friendships, and feel great about making a valuable contribution to the mission of St. Mary’s Health Care by being a compassionate, healing presence in our community. We view our adult volunteer program as a long-term commitment and seek individuals who will serve for years to come.
How to Become a Volunteer
- Complete and submit the online application
- Someone from Volunteer Membership will contact you to set up an appointment
- Coordinate with the St. Mary’s Volunteer Office to choose a service area
- Pay annual dues ($15)
- If you were born after 1957, you are required to show evidence of two MMR vaccinations or provide results of a titer test showing adequate levels of immunity
- Submit to a two-step negative TB screen
- Attend an orientation session
Volunteer at St. Mary's
Apply for Athens, GA Locations
Volunteer at Good Samaritan
Apply at Greensboro, GA Locations
Volunteer at Sacred Heart
Apply at Lavonia, GA LocationsVolunteer Benefits
Volunteers are important to us! St. Mary’s says “thank you” to Auxiliary volunteers in many ways, including:
- Employee pricing in the Garden Café and Wellness Center
- Gift Shop discounts
- Free flu shots each fall
- Appreciation luncheons each spring and fall
- Gifts of thanks as you reach progressive milestones of service
- Invitation to certain employee-only events, including St. Mary’s annual Staff Christmas Party
Volunteer Service Areas
Help patients and families get from Registration to the part of the hospital they need to reach, such as procedure areas. Your service makes the patient’s arrival easier and less stressful.
Be an Emergency Department Visitor/Patient Advocate by assisting patients and visitors who enter the Emergency Department. You will help direct them to the needed locations within the hospital, help find family members, sit and comfort loved ones, and assist staff with discharge.
Assist the manager with daily operations of St. Mary’s Hospital’s beautiful Gift Shop. The Gift Shop is especially helpful for visitors who want to say “Get well soon”, and all proceeds support the healing mission of St. Mary’s.
Provide therapeutic comfort measures through pet visitation.
Help with all aspects of the store’s operations, from receiving donations of gently used goods to ringing up sales. Open Tuesday through Saturday, St. Mary’s Auxiliary Thrift Store provides a boutique setting with thrift store prices.
Be the friendly face visitors see when they enter St. Mary’s Hospital! Volunteers greet visitors, help them get to the proper room, and receive and route phone calls from patients’ friends and family members. Desk volunteers also may help with escort and flower services, when needed.
Bring a welcome “Good Morning” to patients and family members by delivering coffee, juice, and a newspaper from the rolling Sunshine cart. This highly rewarding service lets you be an important part of a patient’s day. Service starts at 8:30 a.m. on weekdays, and the number of deliveries varies depending on the inpatient census.
St. Mary’s Auxiliary conducts the annual Love Light campaign and numerous other fundraisers such as book and jewelry sales throughout the year. Volunteers assist with all aspects of these events, from planning to hosting to writing notes of thanks to donors.
Please contact Hospice Services directly at 706-389-2273 for more information about becoming a Hospice volunteer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time is involved, and what will my schedule be?
Most volunteers serve a weekly, or bi-weekly, three-hour shift, however the time given varies among volunteers. Some volunteers give of their time weekly, others give of their time twice monthly, and some volunteer only for special events. The St. Mary’s Volunteer Office will work with you individually to develop a schedule.
If I have had a recent negative TB skin test, am I still required to submit to another two-step TB screening?
Yes, if it is older than 6 months. We require this for the safety of all of our volunteers, employees, and patients.
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact:
St. Mary’s Health Care System
Melissa McDaniel, Volunteer Services Coordinator
1230 Baxter St. Athens, GA 30606-3791
Phone: (706) 389-3892
Email: melissa.l.mcdaniel@stmarysathens.org
Other Volunteer Programs with St. Mary's Health Care System
Hospice Volunteer Program
St. Mary’s Hospice Services has openings for people interested in being of service to Hospice patients. As a member of St. Mary’s supportive and loving Hospice Volunteer Program, you can truly make a valuable contribution to our mission by being a compassionate, supportive presence for our patients or in our organization.
Learn More
Student Volunteer Program
Many students seeking degrees in health care must complete volunteer assignments in their field to graduate. We offer opportunities that provide students with supervised, real-world experience to meet admission or graduation requirements. Sessions are available in Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Learn More
Teen Summer Volunteer Program
Our Teen Summer Volunteer Program at St. Mary’s Health Care System provides an excellent chance for high school students to explore careers in health care while giving back to their community. Teen volunteers assist with a variety of non-medical duties throughout the hospital.
Learn More