How to Help

Making a donation:

Your generosity makes a significant difference in Waldo County Healthcare, Inc’s ability to fulfill its primary mission: to be the BEST -Better~ Empathy~Service~Teamwork. There are a variety of ways to contribute to the hospital, to home health and hospice, or to the health centers.

Your donation may be designated to:

1. WCGH’s Annual Fund (Waldo County General Hosp): The Annual Fund is an ongoing campaign that provides support each year for all areas of the organization. Unrestricted contributions may be directed immediately to the areas of greatest need. Contributions may also be designated for a specific department, health center or for a patient assistance fund. Annual donations are important to provide a consistent income and encourage foundation and corporate support by demonstrating far-reaching community participation.
   
2. Waldo County Home Health and Hospice (Home Health & Hospice): is a not-for-profit organization that provides in-home medical, physical, social and emotional care to home-bound people of all ages and hospice care to those choosing to die at home. All contributions go directly to patient care.
   
3. Belfast Public Health Nursing Association (Belfast Public Health Nur): is a not-for-profit organization that strengthens individual and family health through prevention, education, early intervention, immunizations, emergency supplies and referrals for those in the community whose health and social needs are not covered by other agencies. Contributions allow the purchase of materials, immunizations and services provided by the public health nurse. 
4. Oncology Patient Assistance Fund (Oncology Patient Assistan): was formed by the oncology nurses at Waldo County General Hospital who recognized a need to offer additional resources including financial assistance to cancer patients and their families who are experiencing the stress and expense of cancer treatment. All contributions to this specific-purpose fund go directly to cancer patients’ healthcare expenses.
5. Mammography Fund (Mammography Fund): enables WCGH to provide free diagnostic mammograms and breast biopsies for those with no insurance and educational material on breast cancer awareness and breast self exams.

Memorial Giving A Memorial Gift is a very thoughtful way to pay lasting tribute to a loved one, friend or relative who has passed away. Their name is permanently recorded in the Book of Memory located in the hospital chapel. Your kind gesture also comforts the family at this difficult time, a gesture that helps the lives of others by supporting the health services of a community hospital. A gift can be made to a specific department of Waldo County General Hospital, to the Nursing Scholarship Fund, to the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund, to Belfast Public Health Nursing Association, to Waldo County Home Health & Hospice or to one of the rural health centers. All are 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations. Please include the donor’s name(s) and address, the person’s name the gift is in memory of, the designated department to receive the gift, and the relative’s name and address who should receive notification of the gift. Or contact us for a Memorial Giving brochure. If donations received reach the $1,000-level, an engraved brass memorial plate is added to our recognition plaque in the hospital lobby.

Honor Giving A popular method of honoring an individual’s birthday or the holiday season is to contribute to the hospital, home health and hospice, or a health center in honor of an individual knowing that such a gift will help others in need. Gifts are acknowledged.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Waldo County General Hospital is fortunate to be part of a vibrant, caring community, volunteering time, energy, and financial resources in so many ways. All volunteers at Waldo County General Hospital are members of the Hospital Aid, which provides the guidance and policies for volunteering.

Who can volunteer?

Our volunteers are people with a desire to help others, a professional attitude and a willingness to learn new things. Waldo County General Hospital’s volunteer program welcomes men and women over the age of 18. Most volunteers donate 4-6 hours a day once or twice a month. Lunch is provided to each volunteer working at least four hours in a day.

What is the first step?

To become part of our wonderful group of volunteers, please call Community Relations for an application, 207-930-6739, and give your name and address or e-mail your request to: inquires@wchi.com. You may also download a copy of the application in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. A membership fee of $15 per year is required, which assures that you are invited to all Aid events and receive the hospital’s newsletter.

What does training consist of?

Once your completed application is received, your references will be checked and you will be scheduled for an interview with the Community Relations Coordinator. A packet of information about the Aid and the opportunities for volunteers will be given to you. If you desire to work in the hospital, you are scheduled to attend a mandatory inservice training session (MID) which familiarizes you with the safety, infection control and confidentiality policies and procedures at the hospital. You are also required to have a PPD (test for tuberculosis) and sign documentation concerning your history of mumps, rubella (German measles) and rubeola (measles). After your MID is completed, a committee chairperson will contact you about volunteering in the areas that you have chosen and will provide a tour of the hospital, a name tag, a volunteer jacket and job training. If you only work on events outside of the hospital, you do not have to undergo training.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

While volunteers offer their services free of charge to WCGH, they do receive many benefits. They have a chance to learn new skills while making new friends and developing new interests. Volunteers who work in the hospital also receive a free flu shot. The Aid has monthly membership meetings from September-May with a featured speaker from the hospital staff or community on a healthcare topic, which is very educational. Some meetings are purely for fun such as an auction, a recognition coffee and an annual meeting where members receive an award for reaching a milestone of volunteer hours.