Being 94 years old doesn’t mean that Cheviot resident Jack Abel slows down at all. In fact, he’s kept his volunteer commitment to Shriners Hospitals for Children for more than 20 years and has no intention of stopping.
“I really enjoy working with the people here at the hospital,” states Abel, who has been a member of Syrian Shriners for more than 45 years and a volunteer at the hospital since 1991. “It keeps me young and active. I never miss a day!”
As a volunteer, Abel rides with a hospital driver, helping to bring children to the hospital for outpatient treatment and admissions and volunteers in the outpatient clinic, placing identification labels on medical charts.
“I became interested in volunteering at the hospital when my cousin began volunteering there and told me how much he got out of it,” explained Abel. “My favorite part about volunteering at Shriners Hospital is getting to see the children and working along side the friendly staff. I believe my cousin was right; it is a very rewarding place to volunteer.”
The staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Cincinnati truly enjoys working with Abel and appreciates his help. “Jack is dedicated and loves being around the staff and the patients,” says Cindy Foote, R.N., a nurse in the outpatient clinic. “He is willing to help us out in anyway that he can.”
Abel recently celebrated his 94th birthday with the staff at the hospital. The clinic staff threw him a birthday celebration
complete with cake, balloons and a lot of candles!
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is an international health care system dedicated to providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal
cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services with no financial obligation to the patients or their families.
The Shriners Hospital for Children — Cincinnati is a regional referral pediatric burn center serving the Midwest and Southeastern United States. The hospital is the only verified pediatric burn center and Magnet™ recognized hospital in the Tri-state region. For more information, please visit www.shrinershospitals.org.
