Why these 2 women love volunteering at Walker Baptist + how you can too

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Since 1978, Cherie Woodard has been volunteering at Walker Baptist Medical Center. Melodie Green grew up watching her mom volunteer at the hospital, and just started herself in June 2023. What both women love is having the opportunity to touch others’ lives through their service. Keep reading to learn more about volunteering at the hospital, including how you can apply.

Meet Cherie Woodard + Melodie Green

Cherie Woodard first began volunteering at the hospital in 1978 when she and her husband moved to Jasper.

Getting involved in the community was a requirement for her husband’s job with McDonald’s, and she jumped in with both feet, even though she had never volunteered before.

Thanks to her background in medical technology and research, Cherie was already comfortable in a hospital environment.

When some of her friends said they were going to start a volunteer auxiliary at the hospital, she signed up immediately.

Melodie Green is the hospital’s newest volunteer, choosing to come back to her former workplace each day even after losing the job she’d had for 20 years.

Walker Baptist’s oldest + longest-running volunteer

Cherie Woodard may be the only living charter member of the original Walker Baptist Auxiliary. A volunteer since 1978, she’s both the oldest and the longest-running volunteer at the hospital. 

The biggest thrill, to her, is orienting new volunteers:

“I tell them volunteering is special. Paid employees are there because they’re getting paid. We are there because we want to be of service.

Then I tell them to forget about all their troubles when they walk in the door, because it’s time to focus on what they’re going to do inside that door.

Also, the relationship with fellow volunteers is extremely important. We feel like we’re a part of each other’s lives. People who will come in and give their time are special people.”

Cherie Woodard, Volunteer, Walker Baptist

When Cherie volunteers, she greets about 100 visitors at the front desk each shift.

“The most important thing is people. Every morning I do my devotionals, and then when I get into work at 8AM, I think ‘okay, maybe I can help somebody today.’”

Cherie Woodard, Volunteer, Walker Baptist

Apply to become a volunteer today.

Walker Baptist’s newest volunteer

Melodie Green has been volunteering at Walker Baptist since June of 2023.

As the first one people see when they come to the hospital, she greets visitors and gives them directions.

Before becoming a volunteer, she worked in medical records at Walker for 20 years. Although she lost that job during COVID, she never lost her love for the hospital or for seeing her coworkers.

Volunteering was a great way for her to get out in the community and give back to the hospital during this new season of her life.  

“I love meeting people in the community and helping them maneuver around the hospital. Sometimes they just need somebody to talk to. If I can welcome them and make them feel comfortable, I think their visit will be a positive one.

If I can bless somebody else, I feel blessed. I wouldn’t volunteer if I didn’t want to—it’s just something that’s in my heart. I can help people, and people need help these days.”

Melodie Green, Volunteer, Walker Baptist

She would encourage anyone who’s interested in volunteering to look into it. 

Want to volunteer?

To learn more about volunteering at the hospitals, we spoke to Glenn Ireland, Director of Volunteer Services at Brookwood Baptist Health. 

• Who: College students to people in their 90s, from all walks of life
• Where: All 5 hospitals in the Brookwood Baptist Health system—Brookwood, Citizens, Princeton, Shelby + Walker

“Some people worked at the hospital; some grew up in the community. Some had a child born there or a spouse who was in the hospital there.

Every volunteer has a servant’s heart. They’re unique people who give back by working four to six hours a day—anything from serving coffee to giving information at the information desk or gift shops, to escorting people from point A to point B.”

Glenn Ireland, Director of Volunteer Services, Brookwood Baptist Health

If you’re interested in volunteering, here’s what you need to do: 

• Fill out an application online or go to the hospital’s volunteer office. 
• Complete a 20-minute interview so they can learn more about you + the type of position you would most enjoy. 

Apply to become a volunteer within the Brookwood Baptist Health system today.

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