Theresa Douglas wrote:
Do any of you have closets for patients to be able to get clothing upon discharge, and if so, are volunteers involved in any way?
I was asked about having volunteers receive clothing donations, wash them and organize them in the closet. I don't think we'd allow volunteers to operate our commercial washers/dryers, and I'd think that we'd want to keep the laundering inhouse. Even if it was allowed, I wouldn't want to ask volunteers to launder items offsite.
I could see volunteers sorting, folding, organizing and inventorying items in the closet. Please share if your volunteers are involved with anything like this, and what the role looks like (job description would be awesome). Thanks!
We do have a care closet My biggest recommendation is to identify specifically what type of clothing items you will accept so you don’t end up with the prom dresses & stiletto heals (lol). We advertise collection as needed The items are dropped @ Volunteer office. Volunteers go thru items (gloves on) DVS notifies laundry items need washing. Volunteer drops off items to laundry Laundry returns in closed trash bag type plastic bag when clean. Volunteers fold and bag in zip lock and label bag with black sharp of what item is in the bag. Volunteer takes items to care closet and places in marked bins ie: men’s top size medium. All undergarments and socks must be new. We do not launder these items. We bag & tag these items. Only footwear accepted are flip flops NEW. Patient care hospital staff go to closet to retrieve what is needed They genera eill let DVS know when items run low Also in this closet are shawls, lap blankets, bibs, fidget sleeves and blankets that are made by volunteers and gifted to patients as appropriate these items are also bagged & marked by the volunteers before being placed in closet The volunteers who do these tasks generally are my transporters who keep themselves busy during any down time in their shift Hope this information is helpful
