Please accept my email as a giant THANK YOU card to all the incredible volunteers (and coordinators) who provide community care to patients and visitors to Grand River Hospital.

On March 20, I had spinal surgery at Grand River Hospital and returned yesterday for follow up at day surgery and x-ray. Right from my entrance to the hospital—to the elevators, to patient registration, and onward to x-ray and day surgery—I was greeted and accompanied directly to my destinations by sunny, cheerful teams of volunteers who were obviously invested in assisting me. I was uplifted by their kindness and positive attitudes and certainly gained confidence that I would meet all my appointments. No pointing "go that way" or "use that elevator"; I just followed a real person and was taken where I had to go. It's little wonder that I had a smile on my face and had little time to worry about having staples removed! Thank you.

What a delight to experience an energized and organized camp of dedicated volunteers at Grand River Hospital ... A job well done!

I trust that you will shine all the more because each and every one of you makes a trip to the hospital that much lighter! Please feel free to share my experience with your volunteers, and continue to weave the threads of vitality and togetherness into our community.

Sincerely,

Laurie Hobson
Kitchener