In another time, they would be called candy stripers -- hospital volunteers pushing carts down hospital hallways.
These days, their services are much more varied and valuable.
When you go to the hospital, you just want to get well. Along the way, you may also need more than just a doctor or nurse. That's where hospital volunteers play an important role.
"It entails the embodiment of our mission statement and our mission statement is caring for our community, sharing God's love and that's what we ask our volunteers to do," said volunteer supervisor Francine Kong.
Volunteers perform important functions.
"Our staff is just pushed to the limit. There are so many expectations of our staff and our volunteers come and they support the staff in all the little ways that maybe staff are not able to do," Kong said.
The obvious question - why volunteer?
"One of the neat things is, when you give - you feel good. That's one of the benefits. Also another benefit is that statistics have shown if you volunteer, your healthier than most people - which is really neat," Kong said.
"They make us feel so valued. They really feel that we contribute something to the wellbeing of the hospital," said volunteer Ellie Lum.
And the community at large. Ellie and her friend Pat have been volunteers here for more than 20 years.
What would Pat say to a potential volunteer?
"I would say, come. It's a good feeling to be here. You meet a lot of nice people and it is a way of service back to the community," said volunteer Pat Severson.
Castle Medical Center asks volunteers to make a six month commitment, four hours a week. And if I wanted to volunteer?
"Well, you'd have to be a lot younger. No, I'm kidding. Sixteen is our minimum age and we have someone here who is 93, he just made 93. Anyone from 16 and older can come and volunteer," Kong said.
