Junior Volunteers honored for their summer work at McLeod Health Clarendon

MANNING - More than two dozen teenage volunteers were recognized recently for their participation in McLeod Health Clarendon's Summer Volunteer Program.

On Aug. 10, an appreciation dinner was held at the hospital honoring 27 teens that collectively spent more than 2,530 hours volunteering at the hospital over the summer months. Each month, the teens worked with the hospital's health care professionals for at least 20 hours gaining experience in a variety of health care occupations.

The hospital honored junior volunteers Caitlyn Ackerman, Ava Ambroggio, Madison Ard, Brynne Baxley, Breanna Boykin, William Buyck, Jordon Caldwell, Shania Campbell, Aaliyah Cousar, Erika Durant, Jakiya Frierson, Rashon Green, Adrianna Johnson, Mary Louise Kinlaw, Donajiha Mack, Mya Mays, Elizabeth McInnis, Caitlyn McLeod, Aniya Montogomery, Ashanti Moore, Nilu Patel, Tomiko Pringle, Gabe Richburg, Erin Scurry, Kamaryn Shaffer, Jennifer Welch and Sydney Wells.

"For 11 weeks, I had the opportunity to work with 27 incredibly committed junior volunteers," said Stacy Mosier, volunteer coordinator at McLeod Health Clarendon, in a news release. "This impressive group of young people made a significant contribution to our hospital in such a short time. Their countless hours of service made a difference in the lives of our patients, families, visitors and hospital staff. I have been overwhelmed by their dedication, their desire to make a difference and their willingness to give back to their community. I am proud of each and every one of them and the impact that they made in serving our hospital and community."

McLeod Health Clarendon Administrator Rachel Gainey said she was also impressed with the dedication shown by the volunteers.

"They all are to be commended for sharing their time and talents with us," Gainey said. "We hope they will remember this as a rewarding experience and that it helps each of them to decide if a career in health care is right for them."

At the dinner, Manning High School graduate Craig King, chief executive officer and founder of Craig King Group LLC, spoke to the teens about his battle with cancer as a young adult and the importance of making a difference in the lives of others through volunteering.

At the end of the dinner, Mosier encouraged the teens to return to the hospital to participate in the hospital's 2019 Summer Teen Volunteer Program.

For more information on how to become a volunteer at McLeod Health Clarendon, give Mosier a call at (803) 435-5287.