Author: Lindsay K. Saunders
Pictured left to right: Shaimayn Wall, Edyth O. Blanton Service Award Winner Linda Yelverton and Donna Little.
June 25, 2019 – Cherry Hospital Volunteer Services recently celebrated its participants at an Appreciation Reception. The NCDHHS-operated hospital engages with both ongoing registered volunteers and special event volunteers, which make a difference in the mental health treatment experience.
Since 2018, Cherry has had over 56 volunteers who have collectively served over 1,180 hours. Every act of support, whether financial or acts of kindness and shared time, helps Volunteer Services fulfill its mission to enhance the quality of life of patients. Cherry Hospital, an accredited state psychiatric hospital in Goldsboro serving 38 eastern North Carolina counties, is commited to fulfilling its mission to helping those with the greatest mental health needs and the least resources.
In 2000, Volunteer Services begin presenting the Edythe O. Blanton Service Award to an individual who has served at least one year with at least 36 hours annually at Cherry Hospital, has a desire in making a difference in mental health, and has a servant’s attitude toward their community. This year’s recipient was Linda Yelverton. She has assisted with the Cherry Hospital Gift Shop, Cherry Blood Drive and much more. In addition to her work at Cherry, she serves as an elder at her church, works at JCPenney and Save the Family Ministry, and is a mother and grandmother. Despite these commitments, Yelverton still managed to volunteer a total of 147 hours at Cherry Hospital in 2018.
Cherry Hospital values its volunteers and offers many ways to get involved. Opportunities to give back include sorting donated items, such as clothing; interfaith patient religious services, including Buddhist, Jehovah Witness, Islamic and Christian; patient entertainment, like performances from bagpipers and magicians; business vendors educating the patient community on things like cooking; bringing a therapy dog to visit; helping with seasonal or special events; and more unique demonstration opportunities. Patients have been treated to special visits from everyone from North Carolina Representatives to a performance from The Red Hat Society.
Lily the Therapy Dog
For information about individual or group volunteering at Cherry Hospital, contact Volunteer Services Coordinator at 919-947-0000. Visit www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/dsohf/cherry-hospital to learn more about Cherry.