By: Peter Toboso

Every Wednesday morning at Hennick Humber Hospital (Humber), a dedicated group of volunteers arrives ready to welcome patients and visitors, answer questions, and help people find their way through the hospital.  

The team includes Teresa Sartori, Rita Adamo, Maria Iacobacci, and Larry Klochko, each bringing their own experiences and personalities to their volunteer work. Their time at Humber ranges from a few years to more than a decade, with Maria recently celebrating her 10-year milestone as a volunteer. Despite their different timelines, they are united by a shared desire to serve their community. 

For Teresa, a four-year volunteer, the connection to the hospital began from the very start. As someone who lives in the community, she remembers when the hospital first opened. She remembered how welcoming the place was and eventually found herself volunteering in the very spot that welcomed her.  

Today, Teresa enjoys helping visitors get from place to place while working alongside the friendships she has formed at the hospital. She especially values the teamwork of the Wednesday morning group. When someone has a question that they don’t immediately know how to answer, the volunteers work together to find a solution. “We help each other,” Teresa shared. “My team is excellent.” 

For Maria, a retired teacher, volunteering offered an opportunity to continue being around people while giving back to her community. After more than a decade at Humber, one of her favourite parts of the role remains being able to help people who might be feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to go when at the hospital. 

As one of the first points of contact for patients and visitors when they enter the hospital, the Information Desk volunteers play an important role in setting the tone for their overall visit. Maria finds it especially rewarding to reassure someone that they have support from the moment they walk in. Over the years, she has come to recognize returning patients and remember small details that help them feel seen and welcomed. 

Rita finds that same sense of purpose in the connections she makes with others. For her, knowing she was able to help even one person who may have arrived alone or unsure of what to do is enough to make volunteering worthwhile. She also values the relationships she has formed with her fellow volunteers, describing Wednesday mornings as a chance to spend time with another family.  

Larry’s journey to volunteering at Humber began with his own experience at the hospital. After seeing the care his wife received during a hospital stay, he became interested in finding a way to give back. A conversation with an Information Desk volunteer pointed him toward the hospital’s volunteer program, and nearly three years later, he says he has “never looked back.” 

Having spent much of his career in sales, Larry knew the exact volunteer role that would suit him best: Welcoming. Whether he is answering a question or walking someone to their destination, the opportunity to connect with people brings him a lot of joy. He hopes that those interactions could also inspire others to consider volunteering themselves. 

The Wednesday morning team built a connection that extends from their service. They recognize each other’s strengths and help each other even outside volunteering hours. Through a combination of teamwork, service, and humour, the team has created a welcoming environment not only for patients and visitors, but also for each other.  

Their message to anyone considering volunteering is simple: give it a try. Volunteers at Hennick Humber Hospital can contribute to many different areas, receive support and training, meet new people, and find a role where their time and talents can make an impact. 

At Humber, volunteering is more than just giving your time. It is an opportunity to become part of a community. With every direction you give, reassurance you provide, and help you deliver, you can surely impact the life of anyone who walks through our doors. To learn more about volunteering at Hennick Humber Hospital, click here.