
Lucie R. Willsie | The News
Northern Hospital of Surry County held its 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Thursday. It was well attended, and most everyone there was an active volunteer. In addition to a nice meal, the crowd first learned of this year’s five volunteer award winners, a secret until revealed at the luncheon.

Lucie R. Willsie | The News
The five winners of the 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon awards given out at Cross Creek Country Club are, from left, Carol Spielvogel, who won her plaque for the Most Hours Volunteered Award; Marty Snow, who received the President’s Award; Tom Snow, who was named the Volunteer of the Year; Emily Clement, who received the Lifetime Membership Award; and Darla Babiak, who earned the Above and Beyond Award.

Lucie R. Willsie | The News
Organizers of the 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, board members and hospital officials offered congratulations and well-wishes to this year’s five volunteer winners. They are, from left, Jeannie Moore, senior director of human resources at Northern Hospital of Surry County; Bill James, CEO of Northern Hospital of Surry County; Billy Lundy, president of the hospital’s Volunteer Association; Pat Busick, first vice president of the Volunteer Association; Margaret Matthews, chaplain for the Volunteer Association; Madeline Gardner, secretary for the Volunteer Association; Fran Vick, second vice president for the organization; and Shawn Watson, volunteer and community services coordinator for the hospital.
Thank you, thank you, thank you — for all the time, dedication and service given every single day.
This was the overall sentiment of guests and officials alike at Thursday’s 2013 Hospital Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held at the Cross Creek Country Club, and reiterated to the audience by Bill James, CEO of Northern Hospital of Surry County.
“We thank you all,” James said.
Five of the volunteers from the hospital’s volunteer organization received top recognition for their selfless service for this year. But the awards were kept a secret until they were presented Thursday.
Bill Lundy, president of the Volunteer Association, presented the President’s Award to Marty Snow.
“It’s a blessing,” Marty Snow said of his award. “I feel great.”
Marty Snow, it was reported, earned his award for his dedication and willingness to work.
“He’s always looking for something to do,” Lundy said. “And he always manages to get to work, even though he has no transportation.”
Shawn Watson, volunteer and community services coordinator for the hospital, presented four awards at the luncheon — one to Carol Spielvogel, who was honored for the Most Hours Volunteered Award; another to Darla Babiak, who earned the Above and Beyond Award; a third to Emily Clement, who received the Lifetime Membership Award; and the fourth to Tom Snow, who was named the Volunteer of the Year.
Spielvogel was lauded for always being willing to jump in and help out, as well as one who could be available to work at a moment’s notice. Working mostly in the gift shop, Spielvogel served a total of 602 hours this year.
“I’m excited,” Spielvogel said. “I’ve never received an award before.”
Babiak is relatively new to the volunteer program, but is known for always having a smile on her face and a can-do attitude in her heart.
“Oh, my,” Babiak said. “I’m so surprised. I never thought I’d get an award.”
Clement has been a volunteer for 10 years, having served almost 4,000 total hours during this time. In addition to all the time she has volunteered, Clement is known for making gifts for others, especially yummy treats.
“I feel fortunate,” Clement said. “I just like to help people.”
Tom Snow comes ready and willing to work, but is best known for the jovial good humor he brings to his coworkers and patients and their families at the hospital.
“It was such a surprise,” Tom Snow said, “especially since I have only been volunteering for a couple of years.”
But the volunteers all voiced another similar reaction to their award. They all said that being able to volunteer and help people gave them back more than they ever felt they gave to others.
“The best way to spend time is to help others,” Tom Snow said.
But others wouldn’t let these humble volunteers diminish their contributions to the hospital and its patients and their families.
“I hope you all realize the impact your job as a volunteer has on those you are in contact with,” Watson said, “and how much everyone at Northern Hospital appreciates your willingness to volunteer your time to serve others.”
“All these volunteers are a very important group at the hospital,” said Margaret Matthews, chaplain for the Volunteer Association for Northern Hospital of Surry County.
The luncheon also included a fried chicken dinner, with key lime pie, flower centerpieces, gift prizes and music by Blanton Youell from B-Dazzle Productions.
For more information about the volunteer program, call Watson at 719-7000.
Reach Lucie R. Willsie at lwillsie@civitasmedia.com or at 719-1930.













