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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 2015)
TRICK OR TREAT PANTHERS HIT THE MARK HALLOWEEN Page 7A CROSS-COUNTRY Page 10A Volume 140, Issue 43 www.Polkio.com October 28, 2015 75¢ Critical shortage of helpers West Valley Hospital needs more volunteers, including Connections drivers By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer WVH needs you DALLAS — Patricia Lu- canio has roamed the halls of West Valley Hospital for 34 years. She isn’t a doctor or nurse, but a volunteer — and she’s loved every minute of it. “I don’t know what I would have done if I had to have retired and not done this,” Lucanio said. Now 91 years old, she has doctor’s orders to step away due to health concerns. She plans to continue what seems to be a calling for her once she gets the OK. She stops just short of guaran- teeing a return. “When the doctor says it’s OK, maybe not as much,” she explained. “I’ll do it, if I have to do it one day a month. Just keep going.” West Valley Hospital needs more of that kind of dedication now as volunteer ranks have fallen to a point of “critical shortage.” Jennifer Best, volunteer services coordinator, said the hospital only has 24 ac- tive volunteers, down from more than 70 a few years ago. “We had a lot of volun- teers that were 70 and (older),” Best said. “Over the last few years, they’ve de- clined in health, so they’ve had to leave us.” Best estimated that 85 percent of volunteers are of retirement age or older and now she needs new volun- teers to fill the shoes of those like Lucanio, who have been forced to step down. Volunteers are needed in multiple departments to do a number of jobs, from help- ing with admissions, helping patients navigate the hospi- tal to doing clerical work. Admitting, the emergency West Valley Hospital is looking for about 25 new volunteers of all ages. For more information or to volunteer: contact Jennifer Best at 503-623- 7311 or email jennifer. best@salemhealth.org. Also visit www.salem health.org/about/volun- teers. DALLAS Dallas approves re- vamped economic de- velopment strategy. »Page 2A FALLS CITY department, rehabilitation, and drivers for the Connec- tions van are just a few areas where extra help is needed. The Connections van, which picks up patients without transportation, is in especially critical need. “That is a very unique service for a hospital to have a van that will go and pick patients up,” Best said. Volunteer applicants of any age — from high school students to retirees — are welcome to apply. As Lucanio tells it, volun- teering at West Valley is a re- warding experience. “I love it. I like the people. The staff at the hospital is very, very nice and they are always so good to you. And the patients — hardly ever do you meet a patient that is unhappy,” she said, noting some patients are afraid, but volunteers need not be. “It’s not scary at all,” she said. “Once you start walk- ing those halls, it just makes you feel so good.” Best added that for high school or college students interested in the medical field, volunteering is valu- able in the potential for earning scholarships and providing a first-hand look at how medical profession- als work. Volunteering requires a time commitment, typically Falls City walking bridge needs a helping hand. »Page 5A INDEPENDENCE Celebrate Dia de los Muertos and honor your deceased loved ones. »Page 2A MONMOUTH Western Oregon Uni- versity cross-country runners competed in Great Northwest Athlet- ic cross-country cham- pionship on Saturday. »Page 11A EDUCATION JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer Patricia Lucanio, 91, will have to slow down her volunteer service at West Valley Hos- pital, doctor’s orders. She has “loved every minute” of her service at the hospital. said the job requires people to be reliable and compas- sionate. “It takes a really special person to be a volunteer,” Best said. “We go to work to get a paycheck, and they come here because of how it makes their heart feel.” See WVH, Page 6A Dallas’ football team defeated Lebanon 35-7 on Friday. The Dragons have outscored their last two opponents 55-7. Adopt-a-Family needs ‘adopters’ DALLAS — Holiday program Dallas Adopt- a-Family is searching for families, agencies, or- ganizations and busi- nesses to “adopt” fami- lies in need. Those interested in helping should call the Dallas Adopt-a-Family Committee at 503-507- 6269. Families in need can apply for the program Nov. 16 through 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. or Nov. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Academy Building, 182 SW Academy St. Suite 220, Dallas. Bring a current utility bill to show Dallas address. Adopt-a-Family matches Dallas families with local groups. Each families receives a Christmas dinner and one gift for each child, infant through 18. LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK »Page 17A »Page 12A Central FFA’s Haunted Caves promises thrills as people explore rooms filled with creepy dolls, clowns, a deranged den- tist, spiders and a straw bale maze, where crazy youths in masks are wait- ing to chase you with chain saws — completely safe, of course. The caves continue Friday and Satur- day from 7 to 10 p.m. at Central High School. Ad- mission is $4, or $3 for stu- dents with an associated student body ID card. FFA students await around every turn to ensure your Halloween experience is a spooky one, lurking in corners and hallways to give you a good fright, all in the name of a good time — and a good cause. Money goes to help sup- port Central FFA students through scholarships and to help pay for their pro- grams. 7 Meet the Cavy Queen Emily Roberts, a junior at Dallas High School, as she heads to national competitions with her rabbits. SPORTS at least one three-hour shift per week. Schedules can be flexible, with daytime and evening shifts available. In addition to time, Best Night of the Living Dolls THE NEXT IN YOUR TOWN wed thu fri sat Learn about the ef- forts to restore the Willamette River at a showing of the ilm, “Upriver” at Western Oregon University. 6:30 p.m. Free. Do some early holi- day shopping and support West Valley Hospital’s scholar- ship program at the Books are Fun fair. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Step back in time for a medieval adven- ture at Kingdomfest. The event includes games and candy. It’s Halloween and the last chance to buy fresh veggies and fruit from the farmers markets in Independence. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Showers Hi: 61 Lo: 50 Partly Cloudy Hi: 61 Lo: 49 Showers Hi: 60 Lo: 54 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Showers Hi: 62 Lo: 50 sun Don’t forget to set your clocks back as Daylight Savings Time ends, and check the batteries in your smoke de- tectors. Thunderstorms Hi: 58 Lo: 43 mon tue It’s never too late to learn an instrument. Join the New Hori- zon’s Orchestra each week at Central High School. 6:30 p.m. $25/month. Why wait until after the holidays to start dropping those un- wanted pounds? TOPS meets weekly in Dallas. 6-7 p.m. Free. Showers Hi: 54 Lo: 37 Partly Cloudy Hi: 55 Lo: 38