6,000 Volunteers Power Washington Hospital Since 2005

What started as one woman's attempt to fill her empty nest became a 17-year commitment that's still growing strong today.

Since 2005, Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington has built a volunteer army of over 6,000 people who restock rooms, guide visitors, and deliver meals. Laura Walsh joined in 2009 after her kids left for college, expecting to give back to her community. Instead, she discovered something better.

"What I didn't know was that I was going to get way more out of it than I could ever give," Walsh said. She now manages the entire program, overseeing volunteers who commit to 200 hours of service.

The commitment isn't small. Volunteers complete a four-hour orientation covering infection prevention, privacy laws, and customer service, plus a tuberculosis test. But 83 new volunteers just finished onboarding for 2026, with 79 more on the way.

John Scholten, 82, thought he'd volunteer just long enough to help his granddaughter explore nursing as a career. That was 17 years ago. His granddaughter became a teacher, but Scholten kept coming back.

"It gives you a purpose in life, and you wind up with a different identity," he said. He now delivers mail between buildings and manages inventory, responsibilities many hospital volunteer programs don't offer.

Sunny's Take

The real magic happens every summer when 60 high school students join the program for 60-hour commitments. Longtime volunteers like Ellen Mottola, who's been serving for 11 years, watch nervous teenagers transform into confident leaders.

Wendy Ha, now a junior at Skyview High School, remembers feeling overwhelmed by the massive hospital her sophomore year. Veteran volunteers helped her navigate both the hallways and her nerves. Now she mentors younger students herself.

"It was outside my comfort zone," Ha said. "It was a big step in becoming more independent and taking the initiative."

Lucy Straub, a Ridgefield High School senior heading to Loyola University Chicago for neuroscience, found more than volunteer hours. She found her future. Working alongside hardworking, caring nurses keeps her inspired for what's ahead.

Many summer volunteers return for year-round service, creating a cycle where today's mentees become tomorrow's mentors. Walsh said the hospital couldn't run without them.

The Ripple Effect

The program proves that volunteering creates value that flows both ways. Older volunteers find renewed purpose and identity. Teens gain confidence, career clarity, and professional mentors. The hospital gets essential support. Patients receive compassionate care from people who chose to be there.

And it all started with one mom looking for something to do after her kids left home.