2008 Volunteer Excellence Award

Delphine Zydzik is presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award

The Christmas Tea ended with two very special presentations. Volunteer Delphine Zydzik was announced as the winner of the 2008 Volunteer of Excellence Award, and Scholarship Committee Chairman Bill Shirley announced the 2008 Saint Mary’s Auxiliary scholarship winners.

The Volunteer of Excellence award is given to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond in service as a Saint Mary’s volunteer. A winner is selected each year based upon criteria such as a volunteer’s responsibilities, the number of years given in service, the number of hours worked, and the person's overall commitment and dedication to the Saint Mary’s team. One comment received on Zydzik’s behalf stated “Her knowledge of the hospital and her diligence are admirable. She has shown a positive volunteer spirit over the years and is an example to many.”

Zydzik has volunteered at Saint Mary’s for thirty-three years and has given almost 7,000 hours of service. She clearly remembers her first day on November 1, 1975, and is proud to be the only “original” member of the auxiliary. “I was completely surprised and much honored to receive this award,” she said, “there are so many volunteers who are deserving of it.”

Volunteerism enables Zydzik to stay active in the community and work alongside her peers. “I have the time to give,” she said, “And enjoy the work I do at the hospital and the people I work with.”