Memorial Regional Hospital - Ruth's Book Nook

What is it?

Ruth’s Book Nook is a freestanding book store located in the center of the hospital; the location provides a welcome respite for the staff and visitors but more importantly serves as the source of funds for the Robert Groeninger Teen Volunteer Scholarship. The scholarship is named in memory of Bob Groeninger, who served on the Auxiliary Board as Teen Chair for more than 10 years. The Auxiliary recognizes the key role that teen volunteers play in providing services to patients, family and staff, and as such the Auxiliary needed dedicated revenue to provide funds for the teen volunteer scholarships.

The idea of a book store was born – one that would accept donations of books from the community, sell them at bargain prices, loan them to patients and families, and create an atmosphere where browsing and conversation was encouraged. To make sure that the program was a success, Ruth Goldstein, a volunteer with 30 years of service, agreed to be the principal volunteer helping to oversee the project. Once the Auxiliary had a leader in place, the outreach to the community began. Almost overnight, the store was not only up and running, but flourishing. Shortly thereafter, the Board voted to name the book store in honor of Ruth’s efforts.

Who is it for?

Hospital patients, families, visitors and staff.

Why do they do it?

The challenge was to utilize the space provided by the hospital in a creative way that would meet many needs. The focus the Auxiliary had was multi-faceted: a calm welcoming environment, a source of revenue for the scholarships and a setting within which the local community could become a participant.

Impact

The first two years saw revenue exceed $20,000 each year. With that solid base established and confidence that the flow of revenue would continue, the Auxiliary Scholarship Committee began the process of community awareness. As the Groeninger Scholarship grew, it became a key focus of the application, interview and orientation process to assist in recruiting teen volunteers. The first year using Book Nook funds (2013) saw the Auxiliary award 2 scholarships. In 2014, 4 scholarships and in 2015, 11 scholarships were awarded to deserving Memorial Regional and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital volunteers. The two year scholarships range from $1,500 per year to $2,500 per year. The amount awarded each year is based on sales from Ruth’s Book Nook. The teens recognized are academic achievers with leadership skills that will serve the community well in the future. The Groeninger Scholarship attracts some of the most talented teen volunteers to the hospital, allowing the teen program to be recognized throughout the area as a wonderful place to volunteer and become aware of the wide variety of careers within a health care setting.

Contact: David Reinmund
Director, Volunteer Resources
Telephone: 954-265-5940
Email: dreinmund@mhs.net