HEALTH & WELLNESS
VOLUNTEERS MAKE
THE DIFFERENCE
MAY/JUNE 2021 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 117
Empath Health volunteers shined so
brightly through an otherwise dark
year. They lifted spirits, provided
a listening ear, honored veterans,
celebrated birthdays, welcomed guests,
baked treats, priced merchandise and so
much more.
As we begin to see the promise of a
return to a more normal way of life in
our community, I invite you to learn more
about joining our mission of care and
becoming an Empath Health volunteer.
As an Empath Health volunteer, you
have the chance to make a difference
in the lives of others by providing lifechanging
support to our patients, family
members, clients, participants and staff.
Our nonprofit network of care includes
hospice services; all-inclusive care and
daycare for seniors; home health care;
HIV services and support; grief support;
and advance care planning. Each of these
service areas offers many environments
where your time and talents can make a
difference. Support is needed in all areas
from direct patient care to answering
phones – and everything in-between. We
have opportunities such as working in
Rafael J. Sciullo
office settings; assisting at our three Resale
Shops in various ways; providing patient
and family support; offering telephone
support; assisting with senior services,
pediatric services, HIV services – and so
much more.
The health and wellness of our
volunteers is a top priority. We provide
in-depth infection prevention training,
provide necessary PPE for volunteers
working directly with clients and will work
with you to ensure you are placed in a
volunteer role where you are at ease and
can thrive. There are also at-home roles.
Recent studies have shown that people
who volunteer can reap many health
benefits such as healthier hearts, less
chronic pain, and strengthened immune
systems. They fight addiction better and
are less likely to get dementia as they grow
older. They also tend to live longer. And
after a year of spending time quarantined
and away from people outside of our
bubble, volunteering can be a welcome
reason to venture out and be with others.
We talk a lot about volunteers at Empath
Health, which makes sense when you
consider they are the heart and soul
of everything we do. The work of our
volunteers makes a direct and lasting
impact on our communities, providing
essential support to those we serve, their
families and our staff. In 2020, our almost
1,700 volunteers’ time could be valued
at $3.8 million. As a community-based
organization, their time is priceless and
allows us to continue to provide our
compassionate care to the more than 4,048
people daily. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Rafael J. Sciullo is president
and CEO of Empath Health, a nonprofit
integrated network of care for those affected
by chronic or advanced illness. For more
information about services, call (727) 467-7423
or visit EmpathHealth.org.
By Rafael J. Sciullo