In the past year, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital volunteers donated more than 8,000 hours across departments and different facilities. Their support includes greeting patients, assisting with clerical work, running errands, providing companionship and more.

But for many, including Laura Zajdel of Boothbay Harbor, volunteering is about more than just the giving of time. It’s about spreading joy and having fun.

“It’s just great to make them smile,” she said of the patients at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta and St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor, where she runs a “Name that Tune” activity several times a month. A piano and some noisemakers allow Zajdel and her crew to share their love of music with those receiving assisted and independent living, memory, skilled rehabilitation and long-term care services.

“Laura and her gang start playing the piano,” Director of Volunteer Services Connie Bright said, “and within three minutes, people have their heads high, their feet are stomping with the music, their heads are bobbing up and down. They're singing along.”

Although she has a master’s degree in music education, Zajdel never considered using it when volunteering. But this background allows her to pull up the music for just about any patient request and play it on the piano. The activity moves through a variety of different genres, from sea shanties to barbershop music to show tunes to commercial jingles. Having patients shout out song names, artists, or lyrics during the game also helps keep their minds sharp.

"I think this is a top-of-the-line muscle memory activity for people who might need a push on that,” Zajdel said.

Zajdel admits even she gets stumped every so often. "A resident requested a country western song, and she proceeded to sing the whole thing,” she remembered. “None of us knew it. Our jaws dropped. But then the patient next to her knew it, and then the two of them were singing this crazy western song.”

While each volunteer receives comprehensive training that emphasizes safety, health, confidentiality and hospital policies, their interests and talents are also considered. In addition to her passion for music, Zajdel ties a love for creating with a sewing group that makes quilts for patients by repurposing donated materials.

“What I’ll say to a volunteer is ‘you have a talent, and we don't have a program. Together, we should build it,’” Bright said. “And that's what's happening over the couple of decades; we just keep building these wonderful programs.”

The recent addition of new pianos at both Cove’s Edge and St. Andrews Village brought new life to “Name that Tune,” but the program really thrives on both volunteer and staff support. Seeing a staff member join in on a song or bust a move in the hallway brings a bit of lightheartedness to what can otherwise be somber facilities. The collaboration between staff and volunteers is what really benefits the patients, Zajdel said.

"It's very uplifting, Zajdel said. “I really appreciate the support at all levels for this activity. It's probably my favorite thing to do.”

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 20-26, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital shares its gratitude for and appreciation of its nearly 140 individuals — and several pet therapy dogs who brighten our patients’ lives with their gifts of time and talent.

About MaineHealth

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services.

With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 24,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough.

MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.