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Huntington Auxiliary Giving Nears $200,000
Kevin Lawlor, Huntington Hospital president and CEO, right, recently thanked Auxiliary members for their $198,465
donation. From left: Thomas Rizzo, treasurer; Anita Rizzo, vice president/advocacy; and Edna Fetkowitz, president. The
gift represented proceeds of the Auxiliary’s 2011 fundraising efforts, which included lobby sales, telephone and TV rentals
and special events.
NEW HYDE PARK — For
Barbara Raber, volunteering
is a natural extension of her
life’s calling. First a teacher,
then a principal at Lakeville
Elementary School in Great
Neck for 26 years, she chose
the North Shore-LIJ Health
System for her community
service endeavor.
The summer before officially
retiring on Sept. 1,
2010, she trained with Denice
Romero, director of volunteer
services at LIJ Medical Center.
This way, she would be ready
to begin as soon as possible.
“I adore children,” said
Ms. Raber, 76. She started volunteering
at Cohen Children’s
Medical Center (CCMC),
“supporting in whatever
capacity I could. I would help
a number of the older patients
with homework.”
At the hospital, she also
played games and read books
to the youngsters. She brought
Former Educator
Serves as LIJ
Ambassador
By Susan Kreimer
arts and crafts to them. And
when they couldn’t come to the
playroom, she went to their
rooms and engaged them in
activities.
Ms. Raber represents the
new face of volunteers who
want meaningful involvement
in their golden chapters, after
long and accomplished careers.
“Years ago, the gift shop
was a prime assignment,” Ms.
Romero says. It was often run
by stay-at-home moms, the
wives of hospital physicians.
“Now, our retirees want a con-
tinuance of their professional
status.” She has trained a
retired flight attendant, editor,
teachers and administrators to
serve as dedicated volunteers.
Many doctors and other
hospital staff members know
Ms. Raber because she taught
or supervised their children in
school. Now, they’re surprised
to see her in their workplace.
“What are you doing here,
Barbara?” is a common question
they pose.
“Barbara is able to engage
people and provide all the
needed information effectively,”
Ms. Romero says. “Her winning
smile and overt caring are evident
in each interaction.”
In late January, upon
the opening of LIJ Medical
Center’s Katz Women’s Hospital
and Zuckerberg Pavilion, she
changed volunteering roles.
“Denice asked whether I would
consider switching to an ambassadorship,”
Ms. Raber recalls.
“And I said to her, ‘As long as I
don’t have to leave the country, I
would be happy to try it.’ ”
Once a week, she assists at
the new main entrance. With a
friendly face, she guides visitors
to where they need to go
and helps melt away their anxiety
over coming to a hospital,
whether it’s to have surgery,
give birth or undergo tests.
Sometimes she escorts them
personally in a wheelchair or
on foot.
“I really run for four
hours bringing people all over
the complex,” Ms. Raber says
of her 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift on
Tuesday. “It’s very active and
very busy.”
Ms. Raber is multitalented.
Aside from her hospital
volunteer duties, she plays
tennis in a women’s league.
And as a young woman, she
trained as a concert pianist.
Rewards from volunteering
come in the form of smiles and
hugs. “We are helping people
who, at the time of their illness,
need some additional support,”
Ms. Raber says. “Whatever little
words of comfort you can offer
are so appreciated.”
The New Standard 45