LAPLACE – In recognition of National Volunteer Week, River Parishes Hospital honored its volunteers at a banquet held Wednesday, April 21 in the hospital’s Medical Pavilion Conference Room and hosted a week filled with games and activities.

The group was welcomed by Tammy Waltz, community relations coordinator, who thanked them for their continued dedication to the hospital. “You provide an invaluable service to the hospital and to our community,” said Waltz. “The time you give to help the staff, physicians, patients and visitors is greatly appreciated.”

Waltz then presented the 34 volunteers with certificates and service pins signifying the number of hours each member volunteered in 2009, as well as the cumulative hours of service they donated to the hospital throughout their tenure. “You all volunteered a total of 11,419 hours over the past year,” said Waltz. That’s equivalent to five full-time employees.”

To show their appreciation for the volunteers, many department managers attended the luncheon to serve as waiters.

Other activities throughout

the week included Bunco and brownie sundaes, bingo games

for prizes, a movie in the

hospital’s Medical Pavilion complete with chips and candy, and an

appreciation potluck lunch provided

by hospital departments.