Joan Harrigan of Moorestown has volunteered 7,000 to Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice across more than 20 years.
Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice has recognized long-time volunteer Joan Harrigan of Moorestown for 7,000 hours of volunteer time — an agency record.
Samaritan honored Harrigan at its Winterfest celebration — an annual event that acknowledges employees and volunteers for their service milestones and dedication to the not-for-profit organization.
Harrigan, 85, started volunteering for Samaritan in 1995 after retiring from a career as a contract administrator.
At the time, officials say she saw a notice in her church bulletin about volunteering for Samaritan.
Throughout the years, officials say she has developed a special place in her heart for those coping with the end of life and grief and has never looked back.
“I’ve volunteered for Samaritan for a long time and it’s my calling,” Harrigan said.
In the last decade, Harrigan has offered companionship to more than 22 hospice patients and their families, served as a vigil volunteer for patients in their final moments of life and performed administrative tasks to assist the volunteer services department.
She has also been a long-time committee member of Samaritan’s Ministry for Catholic Patients and Families.
“Joan is a true ambassador for Samaritan,” said Sally Cezo, director of volunteer services at Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice. “She is more than just a volunteer. She has become a family member to us all. She remains a dedicated advocate of our mission and valuable asset to our organization.”
According to officials, Samaritan offers many ways to volunteer.
Patient/family support volunteers visit patients and families in their homes and offer support through companionship, reading, writing letters, sharing stories and acting as a friend or neighbor.
Vigil volunteers provide a supportive presence during a patient’s final house and offer a beautiful final gift of peace and solace.
For those interested in volunteering, contact Sharon Wenner at (856) 552–3238 or swenner@SamaritanNJ.org.
