Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin relies on the assistance of more than 300 volunteers in 50 different areas of the hospital in order to operate effectively. Volunteers do everything from improve patient morale to perform administrative duties, and volunteer Jimmy Krznarich is no exception.
Krznarich, a full-time volunteer at the hospital, has been with the organization since 2002. He has accumulated more than 20,107 volunteer hours at the hospital and says he has loved every minute of it.
“I absolutely have a passion for volunteering,” he said. “It’s become my new life calling, and I absolutely love what I do here.”
Krznarich has worked in virtually every volunteer position available in the hospital, but he has spent the most time in the hospital gift shop. He currently serves the surgical waiting room as the point of contact for family members waiting for loved ones to return from surgery.
“I welcome everyone, and try to be an adequate resource for families,” he said.
For many families, surgery for a loved one is an anxious, uncertain time. Krznarich, understands that, and tries to bring a smile and positive energy to the situation.
“I just want them to be comfortable,” he said.
Volunteering has become a family affair for Krznarich, who also got his parents and his children involved.
He doesn’t plan to stop. Krznarich plans to continue volunteering and giving back as much as he can. In fact, he hopes to reach more than 40,000 volunteer hours.
“We could not do what we do, or be what we are, without the helping hands of our volunteers,” said Megan Hughes, volunteer services coordinator at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. “Jimmy’s passion for our hospital is inspiring. His wish to make a lasting impact in the lives of others is everlasting, as is his volunteer legacy at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.”
