New children's hospital seeks volunteer support

Children's Specialized Hospital, an affiliate of the Robert Wood Johnson Health System, is currently seeking volunteers for its new facility in New Brunswick. PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital is due to open in early 2008.

Volunteers are needed to assist with patient transportation, day-to-day office functions, therapy assistance, special events and patient interaction, according to a press release from Children's Specialized Hospital.

"The most rewarding aspect of my volunteering is to see the steady progress of these children in their rehabilitation treatment," George Fuller, a volunteer at the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, said in the press release. "I get the most satisfaction when I learn that a patient I have gotten to know is going home."

Each volunteer will be required to go through a volunteer screening, application process and orientation, the press release said.

Volunteers will need to be at least 14 years old for clerical volunteer work and at least 15 years old to work with patients. They must also make an annual commitment of working a minimum of one hour once a week.

"Ideally, we'd like to find local retirees and college students with night classes who would like to volunteer during working hours," Janet Weston, director of volunteer services, said in the press release.

Children's Specialized Hospital treats children and adolescents from birth to 21 years of age through a network of services with a wide array of medical, developmental, educational and rehabilitative needs. Services include outpatient services, acute rehabilitation and long-term care through its sites in Mountainside, Toms River, Fanwood, Hamilton, Newark, New Brunswick and Roselle Park, as well as outreach programs in many communities.

To volunteer at the New Brunswick location, contact Janet Weston at (908) 301-5479 or Vieno Wurret at (732) 797-3825.