Visit with a Volunteer
Eisenhower has always relied on volunteers to help deliver vital programs and services. Desert residents, both full and part-time, have stepped up in spades. In fact, Eisenhower’s volunteer corps has become one of the largest and most active organizations in the state, providing more than five million hours of services since 1970, donating an estimated $75 million worth of time to the hospital.
Over the next few months, we will highlight several of our volunteers. This month, meet:
Shenolene “Shen” Perera was juggling college and work when a grand mal seizure in February 2020 changed her plans. Navigating life changes and the isolation of the pandemic had Shen searching for another way to spend time out with people.
“I’m the kind of person I have to be out,” says 33-year-old Shen.
A family friend connected Shen with volunteering at Eisenhower Health and she began volunteering in the summer of 2022.
“It keeps me busy,” says Shen. “I’m happy to be here."
While the Cathedral City resident worked a part-time job as a preschool teacher assistant at Southwest Christian Academy in Indian Wells, she continued her involvement at Eisenhower on Tuesday mornings, often escorting patients or delivering flowers. Rather than dropping her volunteer work when she was offered full time, Shen switched her shift to Saturdays with the intensive care units.
She says she appreciates the flexibility of scheduling and would be remiss to not add the friendships she has developed.
I like what I do,” she says.
