The North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards honor the true spirit of volunteerism in individuals and groups in the public, nonprofit and private sectors who make a significant contribution to their <a href="https://healthylife7.com/portland-mma-gym-builds-stronger-people-through-discipline-and-community/” title=”Portland MMA gym builds stronger people through discipline and community”>community through volunteer service. This year, Charmaine Reeder, on behalf of the ECU Health’s work with Pitt County Meals on Wheels, Traquavis Harris, Sara Gray Tingen and Angelina Brittle and were honored as award winners
ECU Health’s Community Health team has worked with the Pitt County Meals on Wheels program for four years, something that began with now vice president of Community Health KaSheta Jackson. What began with a Wednesday/Friday route evolved to opening volunteer opportunities to all ECU Health team members
Reeder, a Community Health engagement coordinator I, said as a Greenville native, she grew up seeing health care disparities. Now, she said she has the re
“Community Health can connect people to the information they need. We can educate them about chronic health conditions and advocate for them,” she said. “Some people are fearful of doctors or hospitals, but we can help them prioritize their health.”
Her work with Meals on Wheels, she said, has been one way to connect not only with fellow volunteers, but those very community members she hopes to help
“Our volunteers come from all walks of life. They carve out time from their day to do something, and they show up rain or shine. And the people we visit – they look forward to it. Sometimes we’re the only people they see, and they enjoy the company,” she said. “It gives us a chance to ask them about how they’re doing and connect them with reo a population we might not otherwise see.”
Reeder said she didn’t know anything about the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award until she looked it up, and then she realized how prestigious it is
“I was honored to accept on behalf of ECU Health,” she said. “We are making an impact on a population sometimes overlooked.”
The Community Health team is also using the Meals on Wheels program as a platform to pursue other ways to connect community members with the health care services they need
“We’re working with the ECU Health to provide telehealth services to qualifying individuals on our Wednesday and Friday routes.”
Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities at ECU Health
