Volunteering at Copley

Due to COVID-19 Copley’s Volunteer Program is on hold for the safety of our dedicated volunteers, staff, patients and visitors.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Copley and our community. And they range in age and come from all walks of life. But there is one thing they all have in common: their willingness to make a difference in the lives of others.

We are fortunate to have such a committed group of individuals.

Thank you to all Copley Hospital’s volunteers; together they donate more than 17,000 hours of service annually.

You Can Make a Difference

Copley Hospital offers a variety of ways for volunteers to make a difference. Opportunities range from:

  • welcoming and assisting patients and visitors at the Information Desk
  • working in the hospital gift shop
  • working at Second Chance Thrift Store
  • be a home knitter and warm hats & accessories for our newborns
  • clerical support
  • be a caring presence to our patients, reading or chatting with them

Meet Dave Peters

Copley Ambassador and Volunteer

After several careers and service in the US Navy, Dave Peters retired in 1994. Now he assists nearly everyone who walks through Copley Hospital’s front door. “Retirement was boring,” he said. “And it wasn’t long before I started looking for new volunteer opportunities. I got involved in court diversion programs and I was a Guardian Ad Litem – both very satisfying opportunities. I was a Bingo caller for the Lake Elmore Association for almost 25 years, a position that earned me the nickname ‘Uncle Dave’ among scores of summer kids and campers. And then there was Copley Hospital.”

“Twenty years ago,” he continued, “I had a stent put in and I immediately entered Copley’s Cardiac Rehab Program – a program I still take advantage of. Ten years later I had a quadruple bypass operation. I’ve had surgeries, lab work, radiology work, pretty much the whole gamut of services at this place. I had a seizure once, and though I don’t remember it, I am told I was treated very professionally. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate what an amazing, unique and wonderful place Copley Hospital is. And I wanted to give something back to it. When you get to my age,” he said, ”it’s so important to have a sense of purpose. Copley gives me that sense of purpose, and I like to think I’m making a difference in people’s lives, even if it’s only accompanying them on their walk to or from a doctor’s appointment.”

Copley Hospital Auxiliary

The Copley Hospital Auxiliary is made up of volunteers that donate their time at the hospital and staff the Second Chance Thrift Store located on Brigham St. in Morrisville, and the Gift Shop located in the main lobby of the hospital.

Proceeds from the Gift Shop, Second Chance, and annual bake sales and events are donated by the Auxiliary to Copley Hospital. In the past, the Auxiliary has helped purchase needed medical equipment, renovate patient care rooms, and supported facility upgrades.

How can $10 build a healthier community? Become a member of Copley Hospital Auxiliary today.

For the cost of a mocha latte grande, or a movie ticket, a $10 membership to the Copley Hospital Auxiliary can help provide:

  • support for newborns and families
  • life-saving medical equipment

The Copley Hospital Auxiliary’s mission is to provide funds and volunteers to support the critical work of Copley Hospital. More recently, gifts have help build the James and Mary Louise Carpenter Surgical Center, MRI Suite, purchased defibrillators, and upgraded patient rooms for our community hospital.

Learn how building a healthier community is a better deal for us all. For information on how to become a member contact Jill Baker at 802-888-8302 or jbaker@chsi.org.

History of the Copley Auxiliary

The Copley Hospital Auxiliary began in 1933, shortly after the opening of the hospital in 1932. Initially, the Auxiliary organized committees in various towns to run drives for members and gather supplies for the hospital. The group was open to families and included men, women and children. Dues were $0.50. The women members would take home sheets and johnnies, etc. for mending. In 1935, the nurses’ dormitory was completed and the Auxiliary took over the third floor for their work efforts and held meetings every Friday. To raise money for the hospital, the Auxiliary members put on suppers, ran tag sales and sponsored card parties.

During WWII, the shortage of nurses led to volunteers being used to care for patients, giving them baths, providing water and bringing them mail. These volunteers were called the “Gray Ladies.”

In 1948, member dues were raised to $1.00 and in 1950 the Gift Shop was started. The volunteers worked very hard and long hours. In 1961, 2,529 johnnies, surgeons’ gowns, diapers and bandages were made or mended.

In 1964, the Auxiliary incorporated as a non-profit with officers and a 16 member board. Among the cash donations they gave the hospital, it went towards a new stove, to buy linens and contributed toward the purchase of an X-Ray machine. In 1968, the Auxiliary took over the duties of the Gray Ladies and continued to raise money but also handled distribution of patient meals along with reading materials and flowers. They even entertained children of patients.

In 1978, the Second Chance Thrift Shop was established and it still occupies what is reputedly the oldest house still standing in Morrisville. Through the generosity of Union Bank, which owns the property, Second Chance Thrift Shop pays no rent. Second Chance is now the principal source of Auxiliary funds.

The Auxiliary welcomes new members, young and old of every gender and surrounding communities. Dues are $10.00/annually and their cause remains tried and true in support of Copley Hospital.

Copley Hospital Board of Trustees

Copley is governed by a volunteer, 18 member Board of Trustees who live or work in Copley’s service area. One member is the President of the Medical Staff. Each Trustee provides professional expertise pertinent to the governing of a community non-profit organization.

For Information on Volunteering at Copley

Contact Jill Baker in Community Relations at 802.888.8302 or email jbaker@chsi.org.