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Making a difference one patient at a time


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You see all sorts of things volunteering in the emergency room. Ede Watson saw a man with his finger in a jar of ice water, Jerry Trumble saw a man who brought his thumb in a bag and a man who cut his legs off with a chainsaw.

They remember when helicopters could land directly outside the ER room, sending dust cigarette butts and dirt surging into the hospital like a sandstorm, causing the staff to scramble.

“When the helicopter is coming, lock the doors, Trumble said. “You leave it open one time and you never do it again.”

Trumble, 87, and Watson, 89, are volunteers at Orange Park medical center. Being a volunteer at OPMC is all about assistance. Jerry and Ede check in patients in the kiosk machine, walk them back to rooms, transport people in wheelchairs and help visitors with what they’re looking for. Jerry bake cupcakes for patients Monday mornings and cookies on Tuesday and Thursday, (Ede makes cookies on Monday and Wednesday.)

Trumble put 26 years in the Air Force training pilots. Then he spent 20 years in civil service at the depot, he worked for Habitat for Humanity. He began volunteering after advice from a friend. Trumble started driving golf carts at OMPC in 2009, and then he later worked in intensive care and the ER.

“A long time ago a gentleman told me when you retire, ‘do not sit around the house, you don’t live if you do.’”

Watson worked as a secretary and freelance paralegal for most of her life. She came to Orange park to live with son and daughter-in-law.But boredom set in for Watson. She always wanted to work in a hospital, so she started volunteering at OMPC, and now she’s helped patients for 13 years.

Both Trumble and Watson enjoy volunteering because they get to help people. Both have family in the business. Trumble’s grandson is a nurse at OPMC and Watson’s daughter-in-law works for St. Vincent.

“I started baking and bringing cookies and it got to be a habit,” Trumble said. “The patients look forward to it.”

“I think people feel most alone and frightened when their sick and the best way to help them is to be available, a shoulder to lean on type of thing,” Watson said.

Trumble said volunteering in a hospital is perfect if anyone is lonely and has nothing to do.

“Helping people is my favorite part because the people really appreciate it. It makes a big difference,” Trumble said. “I gave a cookie to an elderly lady yesterday with a cane outside the door and she said, ‘Now don’t let anyone give you a hard time for the rest of the day.’ It’s enjoyable work.”

Watson said volunteering is almost like having a job. One four hour shift a week is the minimum at OPMC.

“People might ask, ‘What difference do I make?’ But It makes a difference when you're interested in something,” Watson.