Special Patient Programs from Volunteer Services

Special Patient Programs

Our volunteers are proactive and creative in their help and support. Not only do our volunteers donate their time, care and support to our patients and their families, but Volunteer Services also raises money to support the following programs that were initiated and developed for our patients and their families:

  • Acts of Kindness
    Nurses and Support Staff can request complimentary items, such as paperback books, reading glasses, and nail clippers from the Gift Gallery for patients.

  • Clothes Closet
    New sweats, underwear, and shoes are provided by Volunteer Services for patients who need clothing at the time of discharge. Jackets and rain ponchos are also available as needed.

  • Dog Therapy
    MarinHealth Medical Center provides certified Therapy Dogs and Handlers to bring joy to patients, visitors, and staff, Monday through Friday.

  • Kindness Cart
    Volunteers visit the Emergency Room Lobby with the Kindness Cart, filled with complimentary items aimed to help pass the time and reduce anxiety for guests.

  • Heart Pillows
    Special pillows are provided for thoracic support for patients following heart surgery.

  • Hospitality Cart
    Coffee, tea, cookies and newspapers are offered daily, Monday - Friday, to patients throughout the hospital.

  • Labor of Love Infant Hats & Blankets
    Volunteers knit hats for our newborns and sew beautiful baby blankets for our NICU infants. They also knit hats for our cancer patients. Every newborn receives a hat handmade by a volunteer!

  • "No One Dies Alone" - NODA
    Our Compassionate Companions sit with patients who do not have family present during their last days/hours of life so they are not alone.

  • S.M.I.L.E. Cart
    S.M.I.LE. stands for Students Making Illness a Little Easier. Our teen volunteers visit patients with the S.M.I.L.E. Cart, filled with complimentary items ranging from games and magazines to personal items like lip balm or hand cream. Their ‘smiles’ contribute to the well-being of our patients.