BREWSTER, NY— Volunteerism springs from principles of altruism and community solidarity…. and volunteers can make immeasurable differences in people’s lives. But that is not all. Helping others has also been linked to multiple health benefits for volunteers themselves. During National Volunteer Week, traditionally celebrated the third week in April, the Putnam County Department of Health honors the dedicated volunteers that make up the Medical Reserve Corps, known as the MRC. This year the commemoration, which began in 1974, ran from April 19 through 25.

“Our Medical Reserve Corps volunteers represent the very best of Putnam County, “ said County Executive Kevin Byrne. “They step forward not for recognition, but because they care deeply about their neighbors and their community. Whether responding during a public health emergency, supporting vaccination clinics, or helping educate residents year-round, these volunteers play a vital role in protecting public health. During National Volunteer Week, we proudly recognize their service, dedication, and the lasting impact they make across Putnam County.”

For the past 22 years, MRC volunteers in Putnam have played a crucial role in bolstering the county’s public health response and protecting the safety of residents. Members, who come from all walks of life and careers, have shown a ready willingness to support the health department through a myriad of challenges, both large and small. They have been there in times of the greatest need, such as during the H1N1 flu pandemic in 2009, and the more recent COVID pandemic. But MRC volunteers do much more than that, assisting year-round at numerous community events supporting residents’ health and safety.

MRC volunteers bring all sorts of backgrounds and life experiences to their service, but their reasons for joining have similar themes: wanting to give back to the community; wanting to help during COVID; wanting to work alongside a special group of caring, kind and devoted people; wanting to get involved, to stay involved, and feel connection with others. And from their reports, they all have found great satisfaction knowing they’ve played a role in enhancing the well-being of Putnam residents.

According to the respected Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, helping people changes lives and bestows on the volunteer multiple health benefits: improved physical and mental health, a sense of purpose, learning valuable skills, nurturing new and existing relationships.

When asked about their experiences as an MRC volunteer, one admitted to thinking ahead of time that their contribution may not be the most valuable, but afterwards they had a change of heart, knowing they had made a difference in more ways than they could ever have imagined. A second remembered the heartwarming feeling each time he saw relief on a parent’s face after their child received their COVID vaccine. A third quoted the Golden Rule from the Bible: do onto others as you would have them do to you.

A recent event for Putnam County’s MRC volunteers was an outbreak training “disease detective” session for learning and enhancing interviewing techniques held at Putnam County’s Bureau of Emergency Services. A second event included the well-received “Arts & Eats” evening of dinner and guided painting sessions in collaboration with the Hudson Valley InterArts Center in Patterson. Ongoing online and in-person opportunities include the American Heartsaver CPR course, Basic Life Support CPR for health professionals, and suicide prevention training. 

The mission of the MRC is to serve the community by strengthening public health, improving emergency response capabilities, and building community resiliency. A variety of free trainings, in-person and online, are offered to them that provide an opportunity to learn new skills, sharpen their strengths, and to make new friends. To learn more or to sign up, visit www.putnamcountyny.gov/mrc

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion, and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.

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Resources:

• Putnam County—Medical Reserve Corps
  www.putnamcountyny.gov/mrc
•  Mayo Clinic Health System—Helping people, changing lives: 3 benefits of volunteering
  https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-health-benefits-of-volunteering