Hospital retiree stays active at information desk

Arlene Villers

My volunteer work gives me a reason to get up in the morning, to get dressed, and provides me with a place to go, said Arlene Villers, a former employee and currently a volunteer at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village. Volunteering is a way of helping others with the extra hours I have now that I am retired; it makes me more involved with life, and helps me to be more mentally alert to changes in the outside world. Becoming involved is also a great way to ward off loneliness.

The decision to retire in 2000 was not an easy one for Villers to make. She had worked in the Telemetry Unit at Alexian Brothers for 27 years, and knew that she would miss the medical personnel and the people she had worked with for so long. She decided to offer her services as a volunteer, and this solution, has worked out well for all concerned. She is on duty at the Front Desk one morning a week, and her duties involve answering phones, providing visitors with room numbers and information, escorting visitors to doctors' appointments, and assisting visitors and staff in countless other ways. Her assignment is an important one, and requires the ability to relate to all kinds of people, often under stressful conditions.

Arlene is a compassionate, helpful lady who always displays a very professional, caring demeanor. She is a valuable asset to our Volunteer Dept., said Dina Lunceford, Volunteer Manager.

In addition to her duties at the Information Desk, Villers also visits the patients at Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital where she passes communion, and if requested, she will spend a few minutes in prayer with them.

Retirement has provided Villers with an opportunity to explore a variety of new activities, and to attend Harper College where she is taking classes towards an AA degree. This active Schaumburg resident enjoys Tai Chi, water aerobics, reading, writing and travel. She has visited almost all of the states in the continental USA and Hawaii, except the New England states, and I sure those are on her agenda of places to see.

Villers family includes her two sons and three daughters as well as 16 grandchildren, one great grandchild, and she is looking forward to the birth of her second great grandchild in the near future. Family is of primary importance to her, and she looks forward to spending time with her loved ones. She is a member of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and St. Julian's Catholic Church in Elk Grove Village.

I would strongly urge all seniors to stay active with life and learning, and to get involved with some type of volunteer work, Villers said. My volunteer work has provided me with an opportunity to make some wonderful new friends, and I have certainly received far more than I have given.

During our changing times there is a great need for people who are willing to step up and be of service to those in need. Challenging and rewarding assignments are available in your local community, and information can be obtained by calling the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at 847-228-1006 (mature adults 55 years of age or better) or The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago 847-228-1320 (all ages including corporations, students and groups). Visit their website: www.volunteerinfo.net for more information.